Published on: Thursday 03 Oct 2019 at 09:11
Harlow’s specialist vintage charity shop scoops two local awards!
Our specialist charity shop, Scarlet Vintage and Retro, won two awards in the Harlow Town Centre Awards 2019: Best Shopfront or Window Display and Volunteer of the Year.
The award ceremony, which was hosted by Harlow Council, took place on the evening of Tuesday 24th September at Harlow Civic Centre. Representatives from the Hospice’s Retail team attended the evening and were delighted to be presented with the awards.
Tracey Chippett, Shop Manager at Scarlet Vintage and Retro, said: “We’re so excited to have won not one, but two, awards from the Harlow Town Centre Awards! We have the most amazing team of volunteers and supportive customers. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us, and to Harlow town for embracing us this year – supporting us with your custom and recommendations. A huge cheer to us all!”
Now in its third year, the 2019 Harlow Town Centre Awards recognise the individuals and teams that make the town centre what it is, celebrating the varied businesses and services that are available.
These local awards come after the national recognition Scarlet Vintage & Retro received earlier this year. In April 2019, the local Hospice shop won a Hospice UK award for Specialist Retail Outlet of the Year, in addition to being on the shortlist for the prestigious Charity Retail Association award for Community and Social Impact.
Scarlet’s recent Volunteer of the Year award was presented for the considerable contribution that the entire team of dedicated shop volunteers make at Scarlet Vintage & Retro, ensuring the shop’s success.
Head of Retail at St Clare Hospice, Fiona Eaton, commented: “Scarlet Vintage & Retro has not even celebrated its first birthday yet, and has already become an award-winning retail outlet and talking point in Harlow’s town centre! We are so proud of our volunteers at the shop. Without their dedicated support, we wouldn’t have seen such amazing results in the store’s first year. Scarlet has really helped to boost income across our Retail department over the past 11 months, which is only too welcome with St Clare’s plans to continue reaching more local people in need of support. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of our volunteering team at the shop, who go above and beyond to make it the truly special retail outlet that it is. Thank you to each and everyone one of them, on behalf of all of us here at the Hospice.”
A key role for volunteers within the shop is to maintain the unique display windows, which are often inspired by the ‘hot topics’ of society. The windows aim to create a story to engage customers, as well offering a unique and memorable shopping experience.
“It’s once again with thanks to our amazing volunteers that we managed to scoop another award,” says Tracey. “We’ve had Mary Poppins, Stranger Things, St Clare’s Lottery, Mother’s Day, Easter, wedding season – you name it! Our displays always look top-notch thanks to our creative volunteers, helping us to bring customers who want to bag an amazing, vintage bargain.”
However, there is much more to this local treasure trove than its show-stopping window displays. After celebrating its launch event in October 2018, this quirky, Hospice retail outlet has already put itself on the map as a strong community-hotspot within the local area. After establishing key relationships with other community organisations throughout Harlow – such as Rainbow Services, Harlow College, Burnt Mill School and The Square – Scarlet Vintage & Retro is fast-becoming one of the Hospice’s most successful retail outlets to date.
Fiona adds: “Harlow Town Centre has long played a significant role in Harlow, and for the town’s residents. Whether it has been somewhere we have worked, shopped or played, the town centre has been a consistent feature in the town’s history and will continue to be so in the future. We are proud to have received these two awards – and here’s to another successful year for Scarlet Vintage & Retro!”
Scarlet Vintage & Retro’s first birthday!
Scarlet Vintage & Retro will celebrate its first birthday on Sunday 6th October. To celebrate the occasion, the shop will open its doors from 11am – 6pm, welcoming local shoppers to browse the collection over cakes and drinks. There will also be entertainment from The Square DJ, Murray, and live music from students at Burnt Mill School. Find Scarlet Vintage & Retro in Harlow’s town centre, at 3 Broad Walk, Harlow, CM20 1HX.