THE ongoing cost of living crisis has sparked an appeal for support from a long-established social enterprise in Clacks.

Alloa Community Enterprises (ACE), which has been supporting the community for more than 35 years, has this week put out a call for aid.

The charity and second-hand furniture outlet, which prides itself in diverting waste away from landfill while giving items a second lease of life, this week admitted its struggling to keep the lights on.

Anthea Coulter, a trustee at ACE, said: "The charity has gone through a tough five years with every obstacle overcome by staff and the board working together, with local community support and prior to the pandemic the charity was back on solid ground, debt free and earning its income from sales alone and receiving no grants for its main core work.

"Sadly, with the recent cost of living increases hitting households, the sales have dropped dramatically recently, coupled with escalating costs of utilities, petrol, and other costs, and so the charity has no other option but to put out a call to the local community to help us."

Based at The Hub on Whins Road, the main goal for ACE is to protect the environment by diverting more than 80 tonnes of furniture and bric-a-brac a year away from landfill.

Its Remakery also offers opportunities for young people to become climate challenge champions and learn skills, working alongside other passionate volunteers.

Anthea added: "The impact on the environment of the closure will also be devastating locally, too.

"With many other second-hand furniture venues closing across the region for the same reasons, there are no other options but to send items to landfill and that will see an increase in CO2 emissions for the area and fly tipping which has a direct impact on the environment.

"We do hope that everyone will make time to drop in through the remaining part of May and the summer and buy an item – even a few books, or a chair, or a lovely upcycled item to help us overcome this difficult period – we hope everyone can give a little back to ACE and remember how important this charity is to the local community and helping people at times of need."

ACE is open at Whins Road between 11am and 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday as well as 10am to 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday.

Find Ace Furniture & More on Facebook to see the latest items added to the stock.