Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store

The Moortown Furniture Store was created in 1986 by a group of volunteers from here at Moortown Baptist Church who in the course of their work were coming across people who had little basic furniture. Aware that good second-hand furniture was often going to waste they began to collect and re-distribute those items, first in car boots and then in a horsebox! Today the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store (in October 1989 the group joined forces with the independently run Leeds Furniture Store) is a registered charity based in a 10,000 sq ft warehouse in Seacroft, has a annual budget in excess of £200,000, runs two vans, employs seven staff and provides work experience and training for up to thirteen volunteers and trainees.

Now you could be forgiven for thinking that in a city like Leeds… seemingly second only to London in terms of finance and banking activity, and home to enough designer shops to satisfy the desires of even the most ardent shopaholic, charities such as the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store are a thing of past. But you would be wrong. Even in ebullient, buoyant and bullish Leeds away from the glitz and the glitterati there runs a deep seam of poverty and need. That’s why in the last year alone, and in answer to calls from over a hundred support agencies, the store provided free furniture – anything from a cot to a double bed; a high-chair to a three piece suite – to more than a thousand individuals and families.

Everyone connected with the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store is deeply grateful to MBC for its ongoing support; not only does it make a substantial financial contribution to its running costs but it continues a long tradition of being the source of many of its managing trustees.

“The distribution of donated furniture, as a practical demonstration of Christian commitment to socially and economically disadvantaged people”

The sole reason the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store was created is explained in the very first line of its mission statement: “The distribution of donated furniture, as a practical demonstration of Christian commitment to socially and economically disadvantaged people”. Two decades later this remains the case. However, add to this the benefit the charity makes to the environment by diverting such a large amount of redundant furniture away from land fill and you will realise why those of us that are directly involved with the store consider ourselves to be in a very privileged position.

If you would like more information about any aspect of the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store’s work you can call 0113 2739727, email or visit its website.