A pop-up Swap Shop will open on Saturday 16th of December in the Mall, Luton. There’s a festive theme to the swap event, and an opportunity to find something new for the Christmas season – adult and children’s partywear, festive tops, jumpers and accessories.
People have been dropping off outfits and items already, so that they can be checked and sorted. Contributors receive a ticket in return, and that can be redeemed for a new item when the Swap Shop opens on Saturday. You’ve still got time to drop something off between 10am and 12pm on the 14th. You can simply donate items as well as taking part in swaps.
Organised by the council waste team, the Mall, FoodFirst and LutonKind Kids, this is the first Swap Shop, or Swish, to take place in the mall. Previous clothes swaps have been held in other locations, including the Hat Factory. Swapping is a great way to keep clothes in circulation, prolong their life, and refresh someone’s wardrobe without having to buy something new. So it’s a green solution as well as a fun community event.
When I dropped in this week, there was a steady stream of curious shoppers ducking in to see what this new shop was on the corner just along from the Tesco. Christmas decorations were going up ahead of the main event, some of them made from recycled materials. There was a bright selection of children’s jumpers and pyjamas, and a rack of dresses. Menswear was in short supply, as usual for Swishing events (come on gents!)
There are plans to host a regular series of swapping events throughout the year, as the community discovers the Swap Shop and how easy it is to take part.
Zero Carbon Luton 