After much anticipation, Garden House Hospice opened its brand new pre-loved clothing store in Hitchin's Churchgate earlier this week.
Welcoming its first customers on Tuesday, July 25, Threads looks very different to most charity shops, and has a vision of being a "sustainable retailer of choice on the high street".
The hospice is hoping to have a positive impact on the planet while reducing 'fast fashion' and raising vital funds.
Its goal is to attract a younger audience to its shops as second-hand clothes shopping becomes a high street phenomenon.
Every purchase made at Threads will directly support the North Herts community, helping the hospice support people facing a terminal diagnosis.
Carla Pilsworth, director of income generation at Garden House Hospice Care, said: “With thirteen shops and an established presence in North Hertfordshire and surrounding towns, we know what we are doing when it comes to selling pre-loved clothes and we do it well.
"What we didn’t have was a brand that appealed to the younger audience that we want to attract in our shops.
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“When speaking to customers loyal and new, we had feedback that our shops were great, but people wanted a different shopping experience which felt more comfortable and didn’t feel like a 'charity' shop.
“Threads creates a space for the local community to shop, volunteer and give back through donations of unwanted items.
"Every purchase will make a change, turning pre-loved into re-loved while directly funding palliative care locally.
“Second hand shopping used to be for bargain hunters only, but that’s no longer the case.
"In the next five years, sustainable and pre-loved fashion is going to take over the high street, leaving fast fashion in the past.
“We’re really excited to be part of Hitchin high street, joining other independent retailers in the town. Thank you to Jolly Brown [vintage clothing store] in particular for joining us as an ambassador. “
Hannah, the owner of Jolly Brown, joined the hospice for the store's grand opening and said: “I’m really excited to support this shop as the Hospice is a cause that’s close to my heart.
"It’s also an incredible shop… I can see myself buying lots in here! I’m thrilled to welcome a new shop to Hitchin that is going to add to the vintage and second hand shopping scene.“
Garden House Hospice costs £6.5 million per year to run - meaning it needs to raise £9,700 every day to fund its services.
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