Theme: Shops

The St Ann’s Hospice Vintage and Bridal charity shop has been through an incredible transformation with the re-launch party being a tremendous success. 

The Stockport shop has been described as a rare treasure trove that specialises in vintage items on the ground floor with a bridal boutique on the second floor.  

 The shop located at 33 Great Underbank opened the doors to the newly renovated store to the public for a sneak peak of new stock. Those who attended also enjoyed a glass of fizz, cakes and live music from Honey I Shrunk The Band, a local acoustic band. 

Demi Nicole Lanigan who was crowned Miss Earth England Air was at the shop for the relaunch event. Fernanda said she had a great time modelling a bridal dress. 

“She is a big advocate for sustainability, and she actually purchased one of her dresses for Miss Earth England from our store. Her presence at the event was lovely,” Fernanda said. 

Commenting on the event, Demi said: “Huge thank you to Fernanda for inviting me as a special guest, to such a lovely event and the reopening of St Ann’s Vintage and Bridal store… 

“I’ve always loved this store and everything it stands for. Vintage and second-hand fashion isn’t just beautiful, it’s a way to shop more sustainably and give gorgeous pieces a second home,” she added. 

The refurbishment of the St Ann’s Hospice Vintage and Bridal charity shop would have been impossible without a grant from Stockport Council, in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

Peter Haymes, Development & Regeneration Manager: Markets & Underbanks at Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council commented. 

“Stockport Council, in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, are delivering a transformational heritage-led regeneration project in the fantastic Underbanks. Enhancing the built form and bringing buildings back to their best is the primary aim, together with reconnecting the people of Stockport to the history of this area.  

“We were delighted that St Ann’s Hospice, together with the building owner, took the opportunity to enhance their building with a new beautifully crafted hardwood shop front and redecoration of the external elevation. This has not only enhanced the street scene, but also given the shop a new lease of life. For more information follow our Insta @underbanks_SK,” he said. 

The St Ann’s Vintage and Bridal charity shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday between the hours of 9.30 am and 4.30pm. 

Support a great cause and donate to the St Ann’s vintage and bridal store. Your pre-loved wedding gowns, vintage treasures, and special occasion wear can find a new home while making a meaningful difference. Every donation helps St Ann’s continue its vital work. 

For more information you can call the store at 0161 222 0576 or follow @stannsvintageandbridal on Instagram. 

St Ann’s Hospice has begun a roll out of LED lights across its shops, warehouse and trading office as part of the efforts to lower the organisation’s carbon footprint. 

Seven of the St Ann’s Hospice charity shops along with the warehouse and the Trading office have now been fitted with the lights, with the charity shop in Altrincham due to be completed next week. 

These LED lights will greatly reduce the organisation’s energy consumption and costs while creating a brighter and more welcoming environment for customers, staff, and volunteers. 

Head of Trading at St Ann’s Hospice Ryan Perkins said the project was partially funded through the Growth Company, a Manchester-based organization that helps businesses improve efficiency. 

“This initiative aligns with our strategic goals by supporting financial viability and fostering growth for future sustainability. It also reflects our commitment to ensuring that our buildings, facilities, and estate are fit for purpose and able to support outstanding person-centred care,” Ryan said. 

The LED lights are expected to save almost ten tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

St Ann’s Hospice have expanded its online trading by creating a profile on popular online marketplace site, Vinted.

Vinted has grown in popularity over the last number of years in the United Kingdom and now St Ann’s is selling pre-loved clothes and various other items on the platform.

All profit raised goes to St Ann’s Hospice.

Head of Trading as St Ann’s Hospice, Ryan Perkins said the launch of the Vinted store keeps St Ann’s up to date with current times.

“Every item purchased from our Vinted store directly contributes to the care and support provided to people impacted by life-limiting illnesses in Greater Manchester. By shopping with us, you’re not just finding unique pre-loved items—you’re helping to make a real difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones,” Ryan added.

To visit the St Ann’s Hospice Vinted store, click here.

A newlywed from Greater Manchester purchased her wedding dress from the St Ann’s Hospice Bridal and Vintage shop in Stockport as a way of paying tribute to her mother, June Kiely.

Jo Johnson (nee Kiely) came to the store in secret with her maid of honour in January and was feeling apprehensive about looking for her dress as it’s “usually something a girl does with her mum”.

Having lost her mum in 2015, Jo thought it fitting to buy her wedding dress from one of St Ann’s charity shops as her mum received the “most incredible” care at the hospice’s Little Hulton facility.

“They have continued to support me with grief counselling since,” Jo said.

Jo believed that coming to St Ann’s seemed like a good way to include her mum in the process and to give back to the hospice.

“It was a wonderful experience and it really helped me with the process and of course the decision.”

Jo was married to her husband Matt on Sunday, August 18 in a ceremony she was worried was going to be emotional from start to finish due to the loss of her mum and her brother who passed away suddenly two years later.

“It was the most incredible day from start to finish and I beamed, and grinned, and danced all day and I felt like a million bucks in my vintage dress.”

St Ann’s Hospice are almost ready for Charity Super.Mkt at ‘We Invented the Weekend’, a free festival taking place in MediaCity this weekend.

Charity Super.Mkt boasts sustainable and affordable shopping that presents second-hand clothes and accessories from over 10 of the nation’s best charity retailers for those attending to browse and buy.

We Invented the Weekend is a brand-new festival, with activities celebrating and sharing everything people love about the weekend – particularly celebrating shopping!

St Ann’s Hospice will have a stand with amazing designer brands, vintage clothing and accessories sent from across all our shops and generous donors.

We’ll be there from 10am-7pm on Saturday 3^rd June and from 10am-6pm on Sunday 4^th June.

Charity Super.Mkt is the UK’s first multi-charity shop, bringing together a range of charity retailers to sell side-by-side in their pop-up shops and at their market events.

Wayne Hemingway MBE, co-founder of the We Invented the Weekend festival, commented on the final programme announcement. He says: “It’s nearly time to let loose and celebrate free time in a completely refreshing and new way this June. We Invented the Weekend is for everyone and we guarantee everyone will get to try a new pastime or ten during the weekend celebrations.

“The festival has the perfect mixture of activities so no matter where you’re travelling from or who you’re travelling with, there will be something for you. And what is more, it’s FREE!”

For more information on Charity Super.Mkt at We Invented the Weekend, see their website here.

For more information on our charity shops, see here.