A once-vacant department store has been given a new lease of life and a powerful new purpose by Emmaus in the North West.
The 120,000 square foot retail space, a former Debenhams store at Fishergate Shopping Centre in Preston, is now bustling with activity and filled with new, as-new and preloved items.
The space was transformed over 10 weeks by the beneficiaries of Emmaus Preston into what is officially one of the UK’s largest charity department stores — a bold example of how empty high street spaces can be reimagined for good.
The launch of the Emmaus Department Store was attended by crowds of customers and Emmaus UK ambassador, Jay Flynn MBE, who cut the ribbon and encouraged people to shop sustainably, all while supporting people to rebuild their lives after homelessness.
The shop aims to be more than just a shopping destination, but also a community hub for social impact and sustainability, helping to reduce waste and fund vital homelessness support in Lancashire.
The launch event was also attended by the Charity Retail Association (CRA), which praised the “incredible” efforts to transform the store.
Anna Pashley, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the CRA, said:
“I’m absolutely blown away by the scale of this charity shop. It’s incredible that you’ve managed to fill it with so much beautiful furniture.
“I’ve already bought more clothes than I was planning to buy – it’s just fabulous.”
All proceeds from the sale of items will help Emmaus Preston raise the vital funding needed to provide a home, support, work experience and training to help people with experience of homelessness and social exclusion in Lancashire.
Learn more about Emmaus Preston and the new department store.