A ‘charity shop with a difference’ has opened in Temple Fortune to give skills training to young people with learning difficulties.

Equal, now open in 818 Finchley Road, Temple Fortune, is a charity store selling brand new items and upmarket goods in a modern interior.

The shop was unveiled by learning difficulties support charity Kisharon at a launch reception where plans for the store’s future were laid out.

It will run a supported internship programme providing training and employment opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities.

Equal’s head of creative Beverly Kaye said: “Equal is not just a store, it is a social enterprise where the stakeholders are people with learning disabilities.

“We are changing the face of charity shopping and people are really surprised to see just how far we’ve taken the concept as a not-for-profit business.”

Some products sold in the shop will be made or packaged by people supported by the charity.

Equal will also provide a shop front for Kisharon’s employment service, which has created 80 jobs for adults with learning disabilities in London.