The Empty Shop is back to help the young people of Manchester

Alice Bird | 21st April 2018

The Empty Shop initiative is back for its fifth year and it kicked off with a stylish celeb packed launch party at Goodstock on Wednesday the 18th April.

The launch night which had a DJ, live artist and henna artist and was attended by celebrities like Ex on the Beach’s Mikey Speakman, and Helena Worthington from Gogglebox, celebrated the project which helps give back to the charities that help people in Manchester.

Reality star, singer and fashionista Jsky with model Zach Williamson and Ex on the Beach star Mikey Speakman.

The night also had a customisation station where people could get their clothes printed with the famous Manchester worker bee, a sign of the strength and love Manchester has as a City.

The event had a customisation station where clothes were printed with the Manchester worker bee

This year, generous Mancunians donated a staggering two tuns of pre-loved clothing (that’s around 100 bags!) to be sold with all the proceeds being split between their partner charities V Inspired and Centrepoint.

Not only that, but Manchester retailer N Brown donated £56,000 worth of new samples to the project and wholesaler Apple Green donated 20 boxes of clothing!

The project really highlights the generosity and spirit of the people of Manchester. Lisa Hawkins, head of marketing at Manchester Arndale said the project ‘marries the community support of Manchester with the love of fashion.’

Both of the charities that will benefit from The Empty Shop this year work to help young people in Manchester.

V inspired is the UK’s leading volunteering charity for 14-30 year olds and helps more than 37,000 young people every year to make their mark on causes they care about whilst learning new skills for employment and personal development.

The charity is also responsible for the stylish Goodstock shop, which is where all of The Empty Shop stock is being sold. Tim from V inspired said that the shop was created ‘by young people for young people.’

The Empty Shops other charity partner is Centrepoint which helps more than 9,200 homeless young people each year and over 2000 young people in Manchester who are homeless or at the risk of being homeless.

Ben, from Centrepoint, said that the charity ‘takes people out of a point of crisis and gives them the opportunity to gain new skills and allow them to have a real future.’

For the next month people can shop The Empty Shop stock in Goodstock but there is also an Ebay store set to launch where you can bid on more limited edition items.

To shop the eclectic mix of items from vintage football shirts, shoes, and designer goods, and support the charities you can visit the Goodstock store at 6 Oxford Road.

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Helena from Gogglebox at the launchThe launch featured a live artistAn Ebay shop is set to be launched with more limited edition items