Our Chester store provided the fashionable and thrifty goods for a special pop-up charity shop.

As part of their course, students from Coleg Cambria’s Level 3 Fashion Business & Retail course will be hosting their own clothes store to help raise money and awareness for the vital work our hospices do.

Seven students spent the morning in our newly revamped store on January 8^th and hand-picked stylish clothes for resale at the college’s Deeside Campus.

Seven of the 11 students who will run the pop-up shop present some of their favourite finds at Chester’s Hope House store

Exciting

Tutor, Beth White explained: “This is such an exciting project for the students to work on and fulfils the Volunteering and Visual Merchandising elements of their Welsh Baccalaureate.

“There’s so much more awareness amongst young people about how stylish pre-loved clothes can be. With this in mind, we are aiming to target the students as well as the staff this year.”

On their visit, the group sifted through tens of bags of donated stock and picked their favourite pieces, checking for brands and thinking what would be of interest to their market.

Students, Phobe and Freddy, shared: “There’s a real great mix of styles here.

“It’s a new experience and something really different to work on.”

Purpose

Our Retail Area Manager, Mark Hunt-Gittins, commented: “It’s been great supporting this initiative and helping to give back to the future of the fashion and retail industry.

“Also in return, by raising money, the students are supporting our work in caring for local children and families living with a life-threatening condition.

“It’s a win-win situation and we look forward to seeing what they have selected on display and how much they can raise.”

Tutor Beth White with her group

We have also supported the students with merchandising materials, racking and the all-important manakins.

Their chosen stock will be delivered to the college in readiness for the opening of the five-day store on January 26th.