A HOMELESS charity is looking to branch out with the appointment of a new retail guru.

Emmaus Burnley, which provides accommodation for 24 homeless people at the former Booth Court in Daneshouse, is on the hunt for a new retail manager.

Former Burnley MP Peter Pike, the charity’s chairman, said not only will the candidate run their new superstore in Ivy Street but further opportunities would be explored to extend their retailing to other East Lancashire areas over the next two years.

Originally the charity had envisaged becoming financially self-supporting within three years but has now revised that target to five years, because of the economic downturn.

Mr Pike said: “Times are tough but Emmaus is an extremely good and worthy project and we will succeed. The right person taking on this challenging retail manager’s post will help us to achieve that objective.”

People wanting to find out more about the retail position can contact the charity on 01282 891801.