Greater Manchester’s first-ever department charity shop has opened in Salford

Hundreds of eager shoppers gathered to explore the thoughtfully curated collection of pre-loved fashion items at Quayside MediaCity, with Charity Super.Mkt officially opening its doors for a full day of operation on November 3rd.

Charity Super.Mkt’s Debut Night Success

During a brief two-hour preview, Charity Super.Mkt’s Quayside pop-up store witnessed an impressive total of 370 transactions.

All proceeds from this special evening go toward supporting four noteworthy charities: Age UK, All Aboard, Havens Hospices, and St Vincent de Paul.

The event generated just under £4,000, which will significantly contribute to the ongoing essential work of these charitable organisations, benefiting communities across the UK.

Hidden Treasures and Generous Donations

The night was marked by unique discoveries, with the first item sold being a 1950s vintage chunky knit jumper.

Shoppers also stumbled upon coveted items like a Balenciaga handbag, Saint Laurent shoes, a black Dolce & Gabbana skirt, Ray-Ban sunglasses, and a collection of over ten Vivienne Westwood scarves.

The goodwill extended beyond purchases, as numerous donations poured in throughout the evening.

These contributions ranged from unique vintage clothing and accessories to collectible band tees and forgotten football jerseys, creating a vibrant atmosphere of giving.

Charity Super.Mkt’s Sustainable Impact

Charity Super.Mkt, with just six months of operations in the UK and six successful pop-up stores, has already sold over 100,000 second-hand items, preventing 30,000kg of clothing from ending up in landfills and avoiding more than 260,000kg of CO2 emissions.

All profits generated from their endeavours support various charities, making a significant impact on causes like funding nearly 200 extra days of cancer nurses for Cancer Research UK, providing 15 days of emergency helpline cover for Shelter, delivering 3,000 hours of nursing care for Maria Curie, and creating part-time employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities through Brandon Trust’s social enterprises.

Collaborative Charitable Endeavour in the North

This marks the first time that both national and local charities have joined forces to establish a multi-charity physical retail store in the North of England.

Quayside MediaCity serves as the ideal location for this unique initiative, where the pop-up store is staffed by volunteers who are passionate about ethical and sustainable shopping.

A Vision for Sustainable Shopping

Charity Super.Mkt, co-founded by Maria Chenoweth, CEO of sustainable clothing charity TRAID, and Wayne Hemingway MBE, of HemingwayDesign and co-founder of British fashion brand Red or Dead, is on a mission to create a sustainable shopping destination. This venture enables people to shop with a purpose while promoting sustainability and ethical choices.

What the Co-Founders Say

On the opening night, Wayne Hemingway MBE expressed his delight, stating, “We were so happy to see the great turnout as it confirmed our beliefs that fashion is changing and growing as people become more conscious of their choices and the effect they have on the planet. It was great to see the shopping centre rocking.”

Maria Chenoweth, reflecting on the mission, added, “I’ve dedicated my life and career to highlighting the importance of second-hand and charity fashion as the most impactful way to dress ourselves.

“Our mission with Charity Super.Mkt is to take charity retail mainstream by getting these great brands into the places and spaces that would otherwise not be accessible.”

Visit Charity Super.Mkt Today

Charity Super.Mkt at Quayside MediaCity will be open until December 13, 2023, with the following operating hours:

• Monday to Friday: 10am – 6pm (Thursday: 10am – 8pm)
• Saturday: 10am – 7pm
• Sunday: 11am – 5pm

Don’t miss the opportunity to shop sustainably, support charitable causes, and enjoy a unique retail experience.

As Wayne Hemingway MBE suggests, “Keep your eyes peeled as we’re here until mid-December, and there will be plenty more special events to get involved, make a donation, and buy yourself something nice that will help a good cause.”

This collaborative initiative, now in Greater Manchester, is poised to make a lasting impact, and there’s hope that more similar efforts will follow in the region.