A pop-up shop in Richmond town centre has raised £3,000 for charity in the run up to Christmas.

The shop on George Street is the result of collaboration between several local charities, including mental health organisation Together as One and the Richmond Furniture Scheme, which provides cheap furniture to people unable to afford full price fare.

With limited funds, the group negotiated with the property owner to secure the use of empty premises opposite Richmond station until leaseholders move in after Christmas.

After suffering problems with the electricity supply, which left the shop shrouded in darkness, next-door-neighbours Revital Healthfoods joined the effort by offering use of their cables until they could find a generator.

The shop, which opened on November 12, has raised the £3,000 in just three weeks by selling books, gifts and bric-a-brac. It has now added a supply of second hand furniture to its stock.

Co-ordinator Gunna Finnsdottir said: “We’ve had loads of people coming through the door and we haven’t been paying anything for the shop, so that’s really fantastic.

“We’ll do our utmost to make the most of the busy time leading up to Christmas. The whole process has been a roller coaster.”