RETRO furniture, accessories and clothes are for sale at a new charity shop in the building of a former Basingstoke bar.

Councillor Roger Gardiner, Deputy Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, cut the ribbon to declare the YMCA shop officially open.

He then browsed the store, which is based in the former Bar Rock, at Top of The Town, before purchasing a retro chair.

Peppa Pig and a Dalek were also at the opening event, welcoming visitors into the new shop.

Sandra Greene, district support manager for YMCA Hampshire, said: “It was a fun day.”

She added: “Donations have been coming in but we are desperate for volunteers.”

Mrs Greene said the most popular part of the shop is the retro section, adding: “It’s one of those curiosity shops. You go in and get side tracked looking at all the different things. We have had lots of positive comments.”

The shop offers a free collection service for furniture on Wednesdays and will also be introducing gift aid in the near future.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the YMCA shop should visit during the opening hours of 9am until 5pm Monday to Saturday.