SHOPPERS at a Blackburn retail centre can now pop into a special unit run by charity Nightsafe to help make life safer for the town’s homeless youngsters.

The special shop opened its doors on Friday at The Mall and was busy over the weekend and will remain in operation for seven weeks.

The ribbon was cut by Nightsafe’s patron Amanda Parker, the High Sheriff of Lancashire.

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The organisation has been chosen by Mall management as its Charity of the Year’ for 2015 which involved donating the retail unit to raise awareness of cash for its work with Blackburn’s young homeless.

The unit will be used for a variety of purposes during a seven-week period starting with a charity shop, which will operate until Monday, September 7.

From Saturday, September 12 it will be transformed into a craft fair and volunteers and young people are busy making cards, fairy doors and pretty vintage inspired decorations to be sold throughout the Blackburn Heritage Festival Weekend.

Following this, the unit is being utilised as an art gallery showcasing the work produced by homeless.

Andrew Smith, Operations Manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “We’re really thrilled to be supporting Nightsafe and wish them every success with the shop over the coming weeks. I’m sure it will be popular with local people especially because Nightsafe makes such an important contribution to the local community.”

Jan Larkin, chief executive of Nightsafe, said: “Nightsafe is delighted to have been chosen as The Mall Blackburn’s Charity of the Year and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers to the shop over the next couple of weeks.

“The Mall team has made us feel really welcome.

The Mall Blackburn announced Nightsafe as its nominated charity earlier this year and has already raised more than £1,600, for the Blackburn-based charity that provides support to homeless and vulnerable.