Sales slump threat to city blind charity

A CHARITY that employs blind and disabled people to make beds and mattresses has seen sales slump – meaning the city council could need to increase a subsidy it provides.

Council-backed Blindcraft – one of the oldest charities in Edinburgh – had plans to become profitable after winning a deal to supply John Lewis in 2008.

But the council forecasts that the charity will see sales slump by 22 per cent to 1.56 million in the year to April 2010.

The council's subsidy is now expected to grow from 990,000 in 2008/09 to 1.08m in 2009/10.

Peter Gabbitas, director of health and social care at the council, said: "The financial year has proven difficult for all bedding companies across the UK economy."

It was announced last month that the council had axed plans to spend 30,000 on new equipment for Blindcraft, founded in 1793 for the welfare of the blind. It is now a "significant trading operation" owned by the council.