The Empty Shop Returns to Manchester Arndale

The award-winning ‘The Empty Shop’ project returns to the Manchester Arndale for the third year. And this year it’s even better than ever. 

You know those clothes you don’t wear anymore? The ones that seemed like a good idea at the time, or were a ‘must-have’ purchase but are still in the wardrobe with the tags on?

Well now’s your chance to put them to good use. Just drop off your quality pre-loved and unworn garments at ‘empty wardrobes’ at twelve participating Manchester Arndale retail stores for ten days between January 22 and January 31. At the end of the campaign, the clothing will either be sold at exclusive sales events or will be donated to charity with the proceeds providing much needed support to the city’s homeless and people in need. 

Like all the best ideas, the idea is simple. And it works. More than 15,800 items of clothing have been donated over the last two years, including over £45,000 worth of brand new items from N Brown Group PLC, AKA clothing, SimonandSimon and luxury boutique Black White Denim. The project has garnered numerous industry accolades, including the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) Community Foundation Award, and this year has been nominated for the prestigious Albert Sussman International Community support award- the industry’s highest honour. 

This year, there’s even an incentive for you to help out. Because if you donate your clothing AND make a donation at any of these participating Arndale stores, you will receive up to 20% off any purchases in that store – Luke, Warehouse, Evans, Superdry, Jack & Jones, Quiz, Next, New Look, Simply Be, Jacamo, Dorothy Perkins, Burton.

The official ambassador for the project this year is Hollyoaks’ Ashley Taylor-Dawson, who will be joined by local fashion bloggers and stylists in Exchange Court on Wednesday 20 January to launch the 2016 campaign. 

“The Empty Shop is the perfect opportunity to spring clean your closet and transform someone’s life for the better. My character in Hollyoaks has worn some questionable outfits at times; I’ll definitely be raiding the Hollyoaks’ wardrobe department and putting a few of Darren’s shirts to good use!” 

All of the clothing that’s donated to The Empty Shop goes to the fantastic Mustard Tree charity. Learn more about the brilliant work they do here: www.mustardtree.org.uk