People urged to “Swop Not Shop” as new monthly clothing exchange launches in Wrexham

A new monthly clothing exchange which aims to reduce the effects of fast fashion and help combat climate change is to launch in Wrexham this weekend.

Swappers will have the chance to bring clothes they no longer need and exchange them during the first event at the Wrexham Enterprise Hub (Queens Square) on Saturday.

The event, which has been called “Swop Not Shop”, has been organised up by not-for-profit organisation Wrexham Clothing Exchange in response to the disposable nature of “fast fashion”.

From 10am until 12pm, swappers can drop off items that they no longer wear in exchange for tokens and then go ‘swap-shopping’ for their ‘new’ clothes between from 1pm.

Any credits swappers have left will be rolled over to next month.

“The aim is simple, people can get a whole wardrobe of clothes each month, save money and help the environment all at the same time, explained Sharon Rogers, Wrexham Clothing Exchange founder.

“More than half of all new clothes bought end in landfill within 12 months, this is an excellent climate change friendly and cheap way for us consumers to reduce fast fashion and landfill.

“We have lots of good quality garments donated already ranging from ladies’ sizes 6 through to 26. We also expect a variety of men’s’ clothes too.”

Ms Rogers added: “We have a lot of people to thank, The Wrexham Enterprise Hub For being our venue, our volunteers, Renew Sewcials as they will be having a small repair café, Abode Above, Off The Cuff, St Vincent’s and Sports Direct for the loan of clothing rails.

“Ian Lucas MP who will be officially opening the event at 1pm. Our friends at King Street Coffee Company and Bank Street Social Wrexham are also kindly supporting our first event by offering 50% off hot drinks to all swappers whilst waiting for the event to open.”

There is a small £3 entry fee to pay, so that the non-profit venture can pay for clothing storage, rails and equipment in the future.

For further information contact: Sharon Rogers 07947 068 678 [email protected]. Details are also on the “Wrexham Clothing Exchange” Facebook page.