Published on: Thursday 09 May 2019 at 11:46
Our newest shop has been shortlisted for another award!
Scarlet Vintage and Retro, St Clare Hospice’s specialist vintage charity shop in Harlow, recently won a Hospice UK award for Specialist Outlet of the Year and is now in the running for another one, having made the shortlist for the Charity Retail Association’s award for Community and Social impact.
Gill Taylor, Shop Volunteer and Receptionist at St Clare, has also been shortlisted for and awardAdditionally, volunteer Gill Taylor, who volunteers at a number of St Clare charity shops, has been shortlisted for a Volunteer of the Year award. Gill is one of three volunteers to be on the shortlist whilst St Clare Hospice is vying against two other charities, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul, for an award for its community-focused retail outlet.
The winners will be announced on Tuesday 25th June, as part of the Charity Retail Association Conference and Exhibition, which takes place 24-26 June at the EMCC in Nottingham.
After celebrating its launch event in October 2018, this quirky, hospice retail outlet has taken five short months to put itself on the map as a strong community-hotspot within the local area. Since opening, Scarlet Vintage and Retro has developed key relationships with other community organisations throughout Harlow – such as Rainbow Services, Harlow College, Burnt Mill School and The Square.
Head of Retail, Fiona Eaton, and Tracey Chippett, Scarlet Vintage & Retro Shop Manager, with their Hospice UK awardFiona Eaton, Head of Retail at the West Essex and East Herts charity, said: “St Clare Hospice is incredibly proud of the staff and volunteers at Scarlet Vintage & Retro, whose exceptional creativity and hard work has ensured the shining success of our newest charity shop. They consistently go above and beyond in everything they do – from their stunning window displays and visual merchandising on the shop floor, to creating valuable and productive relationships with other organisations in the community. We are thrilled to be on the shortlist for another national award. Congratulations, Scarlet Vintage & Retro!”
Shop Manager at Scarlet Vintage & Retro, Tracey Chippett, said: “Allie, my assistant, and I, are so excited to have been recognised for the effort and dedication our team have put into Scarlet Vintage & Retro. It has been an amazing journey since the shop opened! We’re delighted to have formed strong community bonds since we opened in October 2018, and we look forward to our future projects.”
Volunteer Gill Taylor, who volunteers at three St Clare charity shops, including Vintage Scarlet and Retro, as well as an a receptionist in the Hastingwood-based hospice, said: “It’s fun to be at St Clare, my favourite thing is the interaction with the people. I love meeting and greeting people from different communities. I hope that I am making a difference to them with a smile and a ‘hello’. It makes me feel good as well, knowing that I am part of the St Clare team. The hospice gives so much love, care and warmth to people when they need it – it is wonderful to be part of that.
“Whenever I am volunteering, whether I am in the shops or on reception, I am always thinking of those patients we are supporting. That is what I am fundraising for, that is why I am up to my armpits sorting through donations! I’m doing it for the patients.”
Visit Scarlet Vintage & Retro
Visit Scarlet Vintage and Retro at 3 Broad Walk, Harlow, CM20 1HX. For more information, please visit the St Clare Hospice website at: stclarehospice.org.uk/shops/harlow-vintage-retro
Follow Scarlet Vintage and Retro on Instagram: @scarletvintageretro