A CHARITY shop which was threatened with closure has undergone a major refit and opened under a new name.

The Second Chance Charity Shop, on Cranleigh Court Road in Yate, has been renamed SYPHA to better represent the charity it raises money for.

Owners, the Southwold Young People’s Housing Association, have sold the original shop next door and several flats above but kept the extension which was being used to house donated furniture.

Christine Howard, who has worked in the shop for more than a decade, said: "It is all down to the manager, Mandy Osbourne, and the hard work she has put in.

"The shop looks fantastic. It has been completely redecorated and has all new carpets."

Staff and members of the local community launched a campaign to save the charity shop, thought to be the cheapest in the Yate area, when For Sale signs went up last year.

But although the shop front has been halved, storage room to the rear has been turned into selling space.

"The other shop has now closed but we have extended backwards," said Mrs Howard, a Dodington parish councillor.

"We are still the only charity shop in the area to sell furniture and most importantly we have pushchairs, cots and other baby equipment.

"Everything we have is at a manageable price and represents value for money. We think that is especially important at this time, with the recession, as there is not much money about for families."

Mayor of Yate Cllr Mike Robbins cut the ribbon to the new and improved SYPHA shop last Wednesday during a ceremony attended by shop volunteers, charity staff and members of the public.