A 120,000 square foot department store has reopened its doors, brought back to life by the beneficiaries of local homelessness charity Emmaus Preston.
People who are supported by Emmaus helped to transform the former Debenhams at Fishergate Shopping Centre in Preston into a charity department store, bustling with customers during the first day of opening on Friday 14 March.
The huge Emmaus Department Store took ten weeks to fill with new, as-new and preloved furniture, white goods, fashion and homeware as well as some new items including toys, end-of-line curtains and brand new bedding.
The nation’s quizmaster and Emmaus ambassador Jay Flynn MBE cut the ribbon to welcome crowds of customers keen to get their hands on the wide range of items.
Among the shoppers eager to be first through the doors was Jimmy Ainsworth from Blackburn.
Jimmy said:
“We heard about the new Emmaus store opening so we thought we’d come along to see if there was anything interesting, and there it was – a lovely G-Plan sideboard! It was very inexpensive at £85, the new store is very bright and clean, and the staff were wonderful.”
All proceeds from the sale of items will help Emmaus Preston raise the vital funding needed to provide a home, support, work experience and training to help people with experience of homelessness and social exclusion in Lancashire.
For Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Karen Wallis, the success of the store is close to her heart as she was once supported by Emmaus Preston after experiencing street homelessness.
Karen, who leads support in her role for Emmaus Preston, said:
“Our new social enterprise is incredibly important for the future of the city of Preston. The Emmaus Department Store is not only reviving the high street and helping pay for essentials for people supported by Emmaus, it is also helping to reuse items and allow people to shop more sustainably.”
People supported by Emmaus gain work experience and develop skills within the social enterprise, including the collection of donations and furniture deliveries.
Kim is receiving support from Emmaus after she was forced into street homelessness following a relationship breakdown.
Kim, who was helping in the fashion department on opening day, said:
“Emmaus provides more than a roof over my head. I feel really happy because I’m around lovely people. It was a nice atmosphere on opening day and I feel like it’s going to be a great success in the future.
“Emmaus Department Store is going to help me get the work experience and develop the skills for when I move on from Emmaus. I’d like to thank everyone for coming.”
The opening comes amid growth in the second-hand shopping market, with the Office for National Statistics reporting a rise in second-hand retail sales and volume from 2023 to 2024.
You can shop at Emmaus Department Store, Fishergate Shopping Centre, Preston, PR1 8HL from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 11am 5pm.
