Re:loved by Little Havens, located on the High Street, creates a premium shopping experience for fans of sustainable shopping where every purchase supports the hospice charity, which cares for local children and young people living with complex and incurable conditions.
Open seven days a week, the store offers preloved and vintage fashion choices that the public has donated to raise vital funds for the charity. As well as high street items, the shop is stocking donated luxury, vintage and brand-new designer goods including Kenzo, Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s, Balmain and Canada Goose at discounted prices. Menswear brands include CP Company, DSquared2 and Moncler.
A convenient ‘Re:fresh’ coffee bar is also located at the back of the store so customers can pick up a freshly made hot drink and snack after browsing the rails.
Every purchase made has a positive impact on the environment and also on local families who rely on the care and support of Little Havens.
The shop has used reclaimed and recycled materials for the majority of its fixtures as the charity becomes increasingly more sustainable as an organisation.
Shop Manager Rita Portik says: “The services Little Havens provides are a lifeline to so many local families, so we’re absolutely thrilled to open a store in the centre of Brentwood for current and new supporters to shop preloved fashion and raise vital funds.
“Our shops are a vital source of income for the charity, which doesn’t charge a penny for any of its services. We must raise more than £52,000 a week to be there for everybody who needs us.
“The response so far has been overwhelming, whether that’s customers popping in to have a browse, purchasing items or bringing in donations.”
Among those waiting in the queue for the store to open on 1st December was Valerie Van Gaver. The 18 year old from Brentwood is an avid second-hand shopper. “Charity shopping is better for the environment. I was told this new store was opening so wanted to check it out. There’s a lot of new goods and everything is laid out nicely. It looks more like a vintage shop.”
Sally Rainbird, also from Brentwood, was told by her niece about the store on the family Whatsapp group. “I queued to be among the first shopper, because we’re doing a family ‘Secret Santa’ and all gifts must come from a charity shop. Our £35 limit goes a long way in a store like this.
“It’s a fabulous store with great details like the hangers and presentation of items. I want to volunteer here and am already thinking about items I can donate to help the charity raise more money.”
Rita continues, “If you are a fan of charity shopping and you haven’t had a chance to visit, please come and see what we have to offer in our shop. It’s charity shopping reinvented and we guarantee you are in for a treat.”
Little Havens is a part of Havens Hospices, a county-wide charity which has 25 charity shops across Essex. This is the third store to open under its Re:loved brand, the other stores are located in Chelmsford and Leigh-on-Sea.
Re:loved by Little Havens, is open 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am-4.30pm on Sunday.
The store is also on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers who have some time to spare to assist with the running of the shop. For more information about volunteering please speak to the Shop Manager or email volunteering@havenshospices.org.uk
Follow Havens Hospices Shops on Instagram @havenshospicesshops or on Facebook @HavensHospicesCharityShops to stay up to date on the latest preloved and vintage fashion finds in its shops across Essex.
