UK’s first multi-charity retail shop opens in central Bristol

The Uk’s first multi-charity retail shop has opened in Bristol City Centre.

Charity Super.Mkt has opened in the old Hollister building at the entrance to Cabot Circus, and will be the first dedicated charity shop space in the shopping centre.

Its founders hopes the store will be the first of its kind to bring cutting edge second-hand clothes to the heart of a fast fashion shopping centre, all while raising money for national charities.

The pop-up shop was previously located in Brent Cross in London and the Oracle in Reading, and will occupy the old Hollister store for six weeks.

It will be treated like any other retail store, with a revolving line-up of a new and eclectic mix of newly sourced clothes and accessories.

Charity Super.Mkt will occupy the old Hollister space for six weeks

TRAID charity’s CEO, Maria Chenoweth, said the retail store concept was a way to bring charity shops into the usually inaccessible mainstream retail market.

“We really believe this sector belongs to the charity sector because it does so much good work,” she told Bristol24/7.

‘We wanted to create something that left everybody blown away and a brand that could get into the spaces that charity shops wouldn’t normally get into. And I think we’ve achieved that.

“These places and in these locations have never been offered to charities before because the feeling was that charities were not good enough for them,” added Charity Super.Mkt’s founder, Wayne Hemmingway.

“So by bringing it all together and having the excitement of the department store feel with the music, branding and PR, shows the landlords that actually we don’t bring down the high street, we bring up the high street.

“We’re lifting it, we’re creating footfall.”

Charity Super.Mkt will host DJs every weekend, offer Gift Card Vouchers, and giveaways, and will be holding a welcome party on Thursday evening

The retail store is separated into different charity areas

The number of people shopping second hand has boomed in 2023, with the industry jumping 15 per cent between January and March, according to Charity Super.Mkt.

This spike could be down to the cost of living crisis, with shoppers turning to preloved clothing at more affordable prices.

Charity Super.Mkt’s  founder, Wayne Hemmingway, told Bristol24/7 charity shops added that shoppers can often find great value high quality items at charity shops that they often wouldn’t find at fast fashion shops.

“I don’t see us really competing with fast fashion because this is a higher quality product,” he said.

“You’ll find loads of designer stuff in here. I mean, that’s the thrill of the chase isn’t it, that’s what makes charity shops good. It’s the thrill of the chase. You don’t know what’s going to be on the next rail.”

All photos: Edie Attridge 

Read more:

• Sustainability creativity hub opens within former M&S
• New initiative hopes to bring climate and community centre to Broadmead
• Shop owner launches petition to ‘save Bristol’s independents’

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