The Empty Shop is back and wants your pre-loved clothing to help local good causes

It’s time to spring clean that wardrobe and declutter those cupboards because multi-award-winning charity fashion initiative The Empty Shop is back at the Manchester Andale for ten days asking kind-hearted shoppers to donate their pre-loved clothing to help local good causes.

This is how it works. Members of the public, local businesses and retailers can drop off their quality pre-loved and unworn garments at a drop-off point outside Next on the upper mall from 2 – 11 March.

Then the clothing is sorted, weighed and taken to the Goodstock by VInspired store on Oxford Road where it will be sold to raise funds for two charities that help the city’s young people – VInspired and Centrepoint.

VInspired is the UK’s leading volunteering charity for 14-30 year olds,  helping more than 37,000 young people every year to make their mark on causes that they care about whilst learning new skills for employability and personal development.

Centrepoint supports more than 9,200 homeless young people each year and works in Manchester supporting over 2,000 vulnerable young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The Empty Shop project has received numerous industry accolades, including the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) Community Foundation Award, as well as being nominated for the prestigious Albert Sussman International Community support award, the industry’s highest honour.

Last year, it received a record-breaking 2.5 tonnes of clothing donations and is aiming to beat that total this year.

“Each year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of Manchester shoppers and businesses,” said Manchester Arndale centre director David Allinson.

“The Mancunian spirit drives The Empty Shop and we’re thrilled to have watched the project exceed expectations year-on-year.

“The project will be followed up by a high profile sale event in April, and we are hoping that local celebrities get behind the cause by donating special items that we can auction off to raise even more funds for our amazing charity partners.’’

Centrepoint regional fundraising manager Ben Bowden said: “Manchester is a wonderful city and we cannot wait to see some of the items that will be donated and sold to raise money to help some of our city’s most vulnerable young people leave homelessness behind for good.”

To find out more about The Empty Shop project click here.