Charity Super.MKT’S first Northern store launched: Generating hundreds of donations and almost £4000 for charity in just two hours

Charity Super.Mkt’s first Northern location opened with a bang last night (2nd November) as hundreds got to browse the carefully curated pre-loved fashion range at Quayside MediaCity, ahead of the store having its first full day today (3rd November).

Open for just two hours, Charity Super.Mkt’s Quayside pop-up generated a total of 370 transactions, all going towards great causes through four participating charities: Age UK, All Aboard, Havens Hospices and St Vincent de Paul.

Generating just shy of £4,000, the revenue from the special preview evening will help the participating charities’s ongoing vital work to help communities across the UK.

The first item through the till was a 1950s vintage chunky knit jumper, while other gems spotted on the night included a Balenciaga handbag, Saint Laurent shoes, a black Dolce & Gabbana skirt, Ray-Ban sunglasses and a collection of over ten Vivienne Westwood scarves.

Passing the goodwill forward, donations were also flowing in all evening – with hundreds of items donated from unique vintage clothing and accessories, to the best of band tees, forgotten football tops and everything in between.

In just six months of operating in the UK and with six pop-ups under its belt, Charity Super.Mkt has sold over 100,000 second hand items, stopped 30,000kg of clothes going to landfill, and prevented more than 260,000kg of CO2 emissions.

With all proceeds going to the charities involved, it has also helped to fund nearly 200 extra days of cancer nurses for Cancer Research UK, 15 days of emergency helpline cover for Shelter, 3,000 hours of nursing care for Maria Curie, and paid for people with learning disabilities to gain part time employment through Brandon Trust’s social enterprises, to name but a few.

This is also the first time that national and local charities have collaborated for a multi-charity physical retail store in the North of England, with Quayside MediaCity playing host. The pop-up store will be staffed by volunteers inspired by ethical and sustainable shopping.

Charity Super.Mkt is 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. It aims to create a destination that allows people to shop sustainably and with purpose.

On the opening night, Wayne Hemingway MBE, said: “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 and with all those local street food traders at Kargo MKT at Central Bay and with Seven Bro7hers upcoming venture 11 Central, it shows how purposeful and locally focused retail really can be the future of great shopping experiences.

“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.”

Maria Chenoweth, commented: “I’ve dedicated my life and career to raising second-hand fashion as the most impactful way to dress ourselves. Our creation, Charity Super.Mkt has brought non-profit retailers into mainstream shopping grounds, gaining amazing locations that would have otherwise been inaccessible.

We’re extremely proud to be setting up the first pop-up in Greater Manchester, and let’s hope it’s not the last one in the region.”

Charity Super.Mkt is now open in Quayside MediaCity until 13^th December, opening hours will be: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm (Thu 10am-8pm) Sat 10am-7pm Sun 11am-5pm.