The Vintage Advantage near Oswestry celebrates five years of pre-loved fashion

A charity shop born in a refurbished classroom near Oswestry has reached a happy milestone. The Vintage Advantage at Derwen College in Gobowen has celebrated its fifth birthday, five years after opening in April 2021.

The shop was created to give students with special educational needs and disabilities hands-on retail experience in a real customer environment, building skills and confidence that support progress into employment and greater independence. Every sale also raises money for Derwen Charity.

To mark the anniversary the shop had a fresh spring makeover and held a ticketed pre-season sale, which welcomed 65 visitors for a first look at colourful new stock. Rails are now arranged in colour blocks, which looks striking for customers and makes it easier for students to sort and hang clothing as part of their training.

Molly, a Derwen College graduate who has worked at the shop since it opened, still volunteers once a week. "I love sorting, tagging and hanging clothes the best," she said.

The shop has won industry recognition along the way, including the Innovation Award at the Charity Retail Awards in 2023 and College Initiative of the Year at the Aico Community Awards in 2022. It has grown into a space in the college's garden centre shop for gifts, homeware and books, and supports students' online selling through eBay and World of Books.

It has even helped dress the college's own events, supplying props and outfits for this year's Alice in Wonderland themed prom. The team has taken pop-up stalls to charity events and the Llangollen Faery Festival, and is exploring mother and baby sales and a men's sale with a local men's walking group.

Sharon Jones, assistant commercial development manager, thanked customers and donors. "Their generosity has helped us create a welcoming space where students, supported interns and volunteers can practise real retail skills," she said.

The Vintage Advantage is in Derwen College's Marketplace at Gobowen, open 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Quality donations of clothing, accessories, homeware and books are welcome. Find out more at derwen.ac.uk.