A SOCIAL enterprise that is about to be launched in Weymouth was given a helping hand by local tradesmen.

Twice as Nice is a furniture, electrical goods and paint recycling venture run by the housing company Synergy.

Based in Albany Road on the Granby Industrial Estate, the store is being funded through Synergy’s Neighbourhood fund, set up to help sustain communities.

The scheme comes to Dorset after being successfully launched in Hampshire in 2006, and in Somerset last year.

Colleagues from Aster Property, a sister business of Synergy, and people from Weymouth Community Volunteers (WCV), helped give the premises a makeover ready for its launch in February.

It will also be the new home of WCV, which will be working in partnership with Synergy to help run Twice as Nice.

To get the shop ready for its opening, workers and volunteers helped to create two new offices, built a partition wall, and fitted a new kitchen and utility room.

Synergy Housing community development officer Angela Gould said: “We’re very grateful to everyone who came along on the day to help us get the new shop ready.

“It was lots of fun and has really helped us ensure it’s in tip-top condition when our first customers come through the door.

“Twice as Nice will be open to anyone who lives in the county, whether you’re looking for a piece of high-quality second-hand furniture, electrical goods, or paint at reduced prices.

“We’ll also be looking for donations, so if anyone has any items they no longer need but are still in good working order, we’d love to hear from them.

“Twice as Nice has been extremely popular with customers in Hampshire and Somerset and we’re confident it will be just as successful here.”

WCV manager Sue Follan said: “We are looking forward to this new, exciting project. It will enable us to give lots of new opportunities to our volunteers to either maintain or learn new skills that will enhance employment opportunities.”