WHEN you picture charity shops you might envision pre-loved clothes, stacks of books and old crockery.
However, one Blackburn charity shop is attempting to smash this stereotype and is developing a reputation as a place to get genuine designer clothes for a bargain price.
Daisy’s on Whalley New Road is an East Lancashire Hospice branch which markets itself as a boutique.
As well as pre-loved clothes they also stock brand new items.
Katie Elliott, fundraising and marketing lead for the shop, said trading has been going well since the branch opened at the end of May.
She said: “We wanted to brand Daisy’s separately and give it a different feel because it is distinct from the other shops.
“We were trying to move away from the preconception that people may have that charity shops sell broken crockery and that type of thing.”
The aim of the boutique was to create a store that didn’t look or feel like a traditional charity shop.
Katie added: “We wanted people just to head in based on what they see in the high street and in shop windows.
“You would be surprised at just how many people came to us and said they didn’t realise it was a charity shop or linked to the hospice.”
The boutique has more than just a high-end appearance - they regularly receive designer donations with massively discounted prices.
Ms Elliott explained: “This week we had a genuine Mulberry hand bag donated.
“As you can imagine, it was an item that everyone wanted because it was beautiful and just £100- who wouldn’t want a designer handbag for £100!?”
When purchased directly from Mulberry, handbags cost anywhere from £151-£1595.
Mulberry isn’t the only designer label to come through the boutique’s doors; Jack Wills, Ted Baker and Karen Millen are just some of the other big names that have been stocked in the boutique.
Katie also explained that various events will be hosted at the shop in the coming weeks
A ‘Prosecco Bridal Event’ will be taking place next month when brides-to-be can browse bridal dresses with a tipple.
Katie hopes this ‘new concept’ charity shop can be rolled out across other East Lancashire areas in the future.
She said: “We’re very proud of it – so much so that we are hoping to roll it out to some of our other shops as well.”
Find out more about the boutique and the designer items they have in stock by visiting their Facebook page.
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