THE EMPTY SHOP HAS A RECORD BREAKING YEAR WITH OVER 2.5 TONNES OF DONATIONS AT MANCHESTER ARNDALE
The Empty Shop has closed the doors on its fourth consecutive year at Manchester Arndale and has smashed all previous years’ donation records. Helped by Happy Mondays and X Factor singer Rowetta, who officially launched The Empty Shop on 19 January, Mancunians, retailers, and local businesses have come out in droves to make selfless donations of pre-loved clothing in support of charity partners Mustard Tree and Goodstock by V.Inspired.
The Empty Shop also received over £100,000 worth of brand new clothing from Manchester Arndale retailers, including £56,000 from N Brown Group PLC, which has a Simply Be and Jacamo store in the centre. In addition, Quiz gave £10,000 and Luke gave £600 worth of new clothing. Other local businesses also donated brand new items including Global Merchandising Services, who gave £20,000 in new t-shirts, and app development agency dreamr, who coordinated a donation of £13,000 from their clients. Shudehill based creative wellness centre The Wonder Inn and Northern Quarter based Spa Satori supported the campaign by setting up donation points and by promoting the initiative on their social media channels.
On her role as ambassador, Rowetta said ‘I’m so happy that the people of Manchester have once again come together and made such fantastic donations to The Empty Shop. The donations will help raise much-needed funds in support of the brilliant work of Mustard Tree and Goodstock by V.Inspired.’
David Allinson, Centre Director at Manchester Arndale said: “Year on year the city has shown its community spirit by getting behind and donating to The Empty Shop. It is such an honour to have the participation and support of high profile brands and local businesses who have given a real boost to this year’s campaign. Once again, The Empty Shop has been a roaring success and we’re looking forward to the results of the sale.”
Soraya Sheikh Communications Manager at Mustard Tree said: ‘To see the people of Manchester come together to rally around The Empty Shop in its fourth year is just inspiring. It is fantastic to see so many donations and I hope everyone who has supported this year’s campaign knows that they have helped make a difference and impact on the issue of homelessness in and around our city of Manchester.’’
Georgia Powell, Senior Communications Manager, Goodstock by V.Inspired said: “In our first year as an official charity partner of The Empty Shop we have been blown away by the generosity of the people of Manchester. We hope that following the success of The Empty Shop we can further encourage and raise awareness of volunteering opportunities in the local area.”
The first Empty Shop sale will be held at Goodstock by V-Inspired on Oxford Road from 4th February for two weeks. The store is open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm.
For further information visit: www.manchesterarndale.com.
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