Two former retail staff from closed-down Penrith shops have got management positions at the town’s newest charity shop, as our love of a pre-loved bargain shows no sign of being a fad.
With its new mannequins, immaculately-decorated interior and subtle lighting, the vibe at the Cats Protection premises in Angel Lane is more modern clothes boutique than second-hand treasure trove.
Not looking or feeling like a regular charity shop at all, workmen are still coming and going, and a stream of curious visitors have been daring to pop a head around the double doors for a look.
“This place gives charity shops a good name!” said one satisfied reviewer. It’s all down to its fresh, modern decor, and flawlessly displayed lines of ladies’, gents’ and children’s clothing.
With younger generations of shoppers turning to sustainable, vintage clothing, not even charity shops can rest on their laurels on today’s slimmed-down high street. Fast fashion’s contribution to carbon emissions is increasingly pooh-poohed by climate conscious teens.
QR feedback codes for those with Smartphone will allow customers to make tailor-made suggestions — for example if the shelf for the DVDs is a little too low for older customers to reach, then tell them and it’ll be put somewhere more accessible.
Like many a high street retailer, Cats Protection will also include a loyalty card scheme where repeat customers qualify for £5 discounts after a certain number of spends over £10.
Opening on March 23, the new shop is managed by Carole Butterworth, of Penrith. Carole knows all about high street retail having worked for Bon Marche, Dorothy Perkins and M&Co.
It’s her first time in a charity role and joining her as assistant manager is Laura Upson, of Penrith, formerly of M&Co in the town, which suddenly shut its doors last year.
The new shop also has three volunteers, and as ever, the appeal is for more to come forward.
There are a range of roles which need to be filled before it can fully open, depending on people’s preferred skill set.
Overseeing the progress of the new shop this week, was Nicola Painter, area manager for Scotland and the North East. Nicola also worked at Top Shop for 16 years.
To those who bemoan “another charity shop”, she said: “I think that’s just the way the world is moving as it’s about sustainability and a new generation coming through which do have completely different shopping habits.
“They are looking for sustainability but for those customers that don’t want another charity shop we are also offering a new goods selection. We are a national charity and want to work alongside the community here.
“It’s a generational change now in how people shop and we have to do more to encourage people in and we have updated the wallpaper and lighting to make it more like a commercial retail shopping experience.
“With charity shops now, people are wanting more sustainability so we will have a mixture of newly-bought goods as well, just as a trial.
“It may work in Penrith, it might not, but we have a variety of shops where it works really well.
“We want to open it with a donated goods offering and a new goods offering to allow us to understand what the Penrith customer wants.”
It be selling charity shop staples including accessories, such as bags, shoes and jewellery, and also homeware, bric a brac, DVDs, CDS, and books.
Cats Protection is the UK’s largest feline welfare charity, helping thousands of cats every year through rehoming, neutering and improving people’s understanding of cats and their care.
