Leigh Timber Merchants offer free timber to pensioners

Following the government's decision to cut winter fuel payments to all but the poorest pensioners this year, the move has proved immensely controversial and caused backlash across the country.

With only those in receipt of pension credit eligible for winter fuel support, a Leigh business has stepped up to help those worried about the choice between eating and heating this winter.

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The business made the offer after the winter fuel cuts (Image: Leigh Timber Merchants) Earlier this week, Leigh Timber Merchants announced plans to provide free bags of timber to any pensioners who have a log burner, to ease heating bills and get families through the cold winter months.

Speaking about the offer, business owner Billy Andrusjak said: "I made the offer because I know that my grandma has been affected by the winter fuel allowance, and I know that other family and friends have too.

"I just think that it is wrong to pay into something for all your life and when it comes to the time when you need it or some more help, it gets taken away from you.

"As a timber business, we had lots of supplies backed up so I thought it was something we could do to help, which wasn't going to cost us anything as a business."

The timber business opened on Welch Hill Street in early 2023 (Image: Leigh Timber Merchants) Although the plan was to offer free timber until the stock was gone, Billy made the decision to buy more supplies and extend the offer after an "absolutely manic" response.

Billy added: "The plan was just to use what stock we had but it isn't fair for people who are struggling to miss out, so I bought four more bags to help more people."

With Leigh Timber Merchants launching in early 2023, after a similar long-standing company retired, Billy said that he hopes the company can help the people of Leigh for many years to come.

"My grandad was from Ukraine and my family have been in Leigh since 1945, working for many years at a local jewellery shop.

"I think that shows the best thing about Leigh, where anyone can come here and become part of the community. 

"That's why we want to help the community and supply the people of Leigh for many years to come."

With limited free supplies remaining, more information about Leigh Timber Merchants can be found here.