Hollyoaks’ Ashley Taylor Dawson And Manchester Arndale Retailers Ensure Record Breaking Launch For Homeless Charity Fashion Event

Hollyoaks actor Ashley Taylor Dawson launched The Empty Shop’ 2016 at Manchester Arndale last night (20 January), the award-winning charity fashion event supporting the city’s homeless. The exclusive VIP event was hosted by local singer songwriter, blogger and star of First Dates, Jsky. The event was also attended by another Hollyoaks favourite Jazmine Franks who donated three bags of pre-loved clothing.

Official ambassador Taylor Dawson opened the 2016 campaign and was joined by a selection of Manchester Arndale retailers including Bestseller and their Manchester Arndale store Jack & Jones who donated 40 boxes of brand new unworn samples to the project, pledging over £30k worth of clothing in total and N Brown Group, who own Simply Be and Jacamo in Manchester Arndale, also donated £25k worth of clothing to the cause. That meant that a whopping £55k of retailer donations launched the project, breaking the 2015 record!

These items will be resold along with some of the other good quality donations at an exclusive sale event at Northern Quarter hang out Ziferblat on 13^th February.  There will be further sale events throughout Spring with all proceeds going to Mustard Tree.

The event, which featured illustrations by renowned Manchester artist Dom & Ink, was attended by local fashion bloggers and stylists, to raise the profile of The Empty Shop 2016 and encourage people to donate clothing in support of homeless charity Mustard Tree.

On his role as ambassador, Taylor Dawson said, ‘I’m very proud to have been asked to be the official ambassador for The Empty Shop 2016. The issue of homelessness is all around us and I’m pleased to be able to help and support such a brilliant initiative in my home town. I encourage the people of Manchester to donate to this fantastic cause and I’ll be encouraging my Hollyoaks cast mates to do the same’ 

The fashion initiative which has attracted international acclaim, invites people to donate their quality pre-loved and unworn garments in one of twelve ‘empty wardrobes’ at participating Manchester Arndale retail stores for ten days between January 22 and January 31. As a further incentive, each retailer will offer prizes or discounts ranging from 10% -30% to shoppers making donations in store. .

Mustard Tree Communications Manager Soraya Sheikh-Ambrose said “We are overwhelmed with the support that Manchester Arndale and people of Manchester have been able to provide to what is becoming an epidemic; not just in Manchester but all over the UK. We are thrilled that Manchester Arndale retailers have been so generous tonight and have already ensured that we have a record breaking year!’ 

At the event David Allinson, Centre Director for Manchester Arndale said; “The Empty Shop has progressed into a critically acclaimed event, capturing the interest and charitable nature of Manchester residents. We are overwhelmed each year by the generous donations from shoppers, brands and retailers across the city and the impact this has on raising awareness and support for Mustard Tree.”

This Empty Shop campaign will take clothing donations at the following Arndale retailers from 22 – 31 January 2016:

• Luke
• Warehouse
• Evans
• Superdry
• Jack & Jones
• Quiz
• Next
• New Look
• Simply Be
• Jacamo
• Dorothy Perkins
• Burton

 For further information visit: www.manchesterarndale.com