A Liverpool charity has raised the alarm over soaring living costs threatening to push more people onto the streets this winter.
The Paper Cup Project, a charity founded and run by Michelle Lagan, has been looking after rough sleepers on Liverpool’s streets for years, providing food, clothes, and crucial support.
The Paper Cup Coffee shop opened in February to expand the charity’s outreach, offering hospitality training to the city’s most vulnerable population.
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The coffee shop also uses a pay-forward scheme to provide free food and drinks to their homeless guests.
Dan Johnson, manager at Paper Cup Coffee said: “With the cost of living crisis, we’re seeing a lot more people in difficulty."
Dan explained the number of poverty-struck people coming in for food and drinks has almost doubled over recent months, going from a maximum of 10 to almost 20 every day.
He said: "It’s hard to think the worst has yet to come up, the winter is going to be horrific.”
Rising living costs and energy bills are also having an impact on the charity business.
He said: “Like every other independent business in Liverpool at the moment we are struggling."
A clothing sale will take place at the Paper Cup coffee shop this Saturday with the aim of helping the business through the winter and the people who depend on it for crucial support.
Located in Queen Square, the sale will open from 10am to 2pm, with all items priced under a fiver.
All money raised will go towards the Paper Cup Project Homeless Charity.
A co-working space has also recently opened on the mezzanine floor of the Paper Cup Coffee shop.
For £10 a day, customers will be able to access the space equipped with free wifi and plug sockets and enjoy unlimited tea and coffee.
Dan said: "We’re a non-profit business so all the money that we make goes towards keeping the coffee shop open for homeless people.
“It's so important for us to stay open. It’s actually making a difference in the community.”
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