The team here at Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland is busy getting ready for the opening of our Boutique – a new preloved clothing area inside our popular Emporium, on Stockwell Head.

From Monday 7 February, the Emporium charity shop, which was already the largest in Hinckley (it used to specialise in furniture and household goods), will be home to an additional 3000 sq. ft. second-hand clothing shop.

The plans were put in place last summer, when Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland took ownership of the Emporium shop we had previously rented, plus the two vacant buildings either side. The property purchases were made possible thanks to a £15,000 grant from Leicestershire County Council, as well as funds from Emmaus UK of £100,000.

La Boutique (our former clothing shop on Castle Street) closed its doors earlier this year, ahead of moving to inside the newly expanded Emporium store.

Speaking about the change, Operations Manager Matthew Taylor said: “We’ve had the builders in for weeks, knocking through into the property next door and creating a really nice retail space for our clothing shop. Our massive Emporium has always been incredibly popular with customers looking for second-hand furniture and household goods. It’s so exciting to be able to offer preloved clothing as well, under the same roof.”

Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland offers people who have experienced homelessness a safe home for as long as they need it, alongside day-to-day support, funded training, and the opportunity to gain new skills and work experience. We’ll now begin raising funds to reach our longer-term goal of converting the vacant property on the other side of the Emporium into brand new accommodation for the people we support.

Speaking about the plans Peter Savage, Chair of Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland, said: “This is the first step towards bigger and better things for our charity. We’re delighted with the Emporium extension and hope that local people will continue to shop with us and help raise the money to build bedrooms and living spaces next door. This means that in future we’ll be able to offer a home and support to many more formerly homeless people, all on one site.”

The newly-extended Emmaus Emporium on Stockwell Head will be open Monday to Saturday: 9.30am – 4pm.

Any donated items for resale can be dropped off during the Emporium opening hours. Our charity also offers a free collection service for furniture and larger goods.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Emporium Boutique soon.