Empty Shop project at Manchester Arndale

Innovative and award-winning source project The Empty Shop makes its way to Manchester for the first time this month in aid of local homeless charity The Mustard Tree. A clothes swap with a twist, the project consists of a pop-up shop where the public are invited to bring their old clothes. But rather than being snapped up by other shoppers, clothes will be displayed on mannequins to show off the various styles that can be created with second-hand fashion, and to appeal to other shoppers to donate. Taking place in Exchange Court in the Arndale, the project aims to create a greater awareness of homelessness in Manchester, collecting clothes from stylists, fashion bloggers and the public throughout the day, to be distributed each evening to those in need, before starting over again the next day with even more donated styles. Now halfway through through its run, the pop-up shop has already had over 100 donors and counting – and with all donations welcome, what better way to offload the thread victims of your post-Christmas clear out?

Thu 23 Jan – Sun 2 Feb, Exchange Court, Manchester Arndale, Market Street, M4 3AQ, manchesterarndale.com, @EmptyShopMCR