The Empty Shop in Manchester Arndale has collected nearly a tonne of clothes since opening last week.
Originating in Brazil, the Empty Shop idea combines fashion and charity as the shop is filled up with donations and then emptied every night with the clothes going to homeless charity Mustard Tree.
The project has been managed by shop and bar fitters Clarke Gough who brought the idea from Brazil to Manchester after spotting it on a YouTube video.
Ben Davies, of Clarke Gough, said: “When Clarke Gough saw the idea from Brazil we got Manchester Arndale and Mustard Tree on board and it’s been great to make it into a reality.”
“It will be great to see where we can take it from here.
“Hopefully we can move onto better things.”
The shop has had a terrific response from the people of Manchester and has already had a total of 2,750 pieces of clothing donated since launching on January 23.
Every person or organisation who donates items to the shop gets their Polaroid taken and placed on the wall in the shop.
Big names such as Ann Summers, Jacamo and Manchester City Council are already on board.
Established in 1994, Mustard Tree is a charity which supports the homeless and marginalised and are based at two sites in Ancoats and Eccles.
DOGGY STYLE: Bruce from Black Dog Ballroom donating some of his t-shirts
Soraya Sheikh, Organisational Development Manager of Mustard Tree, expressed her satisfaction at the success of the project so far.
“Clarke Gough approached Mustard Tree in October last year and we absolutely fell in love with the idea,” Soraya said.
“It’s never been done in the UK and we love that Manchester got it before London.
“Over the last couple of months there’s been a lot of planning, organising, a few sleepless nights.
“Last Thursday it all came to fruition and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”
Video courtesy of loduccapublicidade, with thanks
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