Environmental issues don’t halt for a pandemic. That’s why we’d like to take a moment to recognise Love Preloved for their efforts against fast fashion, and instead in favour of a local, circular economy that puts the people before profit.
“To really get involved and fully understand the issues of climate change, everyone’s fashion habits WILL have to change,” said Ali Ross, owner of the shop.
Since opening, Love Preloved been helping to end the fast fashion trend by reselling quality items at affordable prices that are especially attractive in these tough times: “It is Love Preloved’s fundamental ethos to make high quality fashion available for every budget, with sales prices starting at only £3.00”
Ali explains the double-edged sword of youth activism in the area: “young people are happy to stick up posters and take days off school to protest, but when it comes to purchasing a second hand pair of Nike trainers, they’re not quite as on it as they think!
“People are already participating without realising, by buying second-hand clothing through Depop, Vinted, Ebay…” so what’s stopping people from doing the same thing locally?
Worldwide market
With this third lockdown, Ali has had to get creative: “We sell beautiful items across the globe using multiple online platforms.”
Love Preloved also accepts clothing you no longer wear, and sells it at a 50% commission – meaning the cash for that item goes back into your pockets without the hassle of advertising, listing, and credit card fees. This has gotten increasingly popular while charity shops remain shut, and people take the time to organise their wardrobes.
“We are now in a position where we have regular clients who we can contact to say a certain item has come in and be able to offer it for an immediate sale. For the time being, we continue to offer online sales and delivery.
Shop makeover
“However, the shop has undergone a bit of a physical makeover during the lockdown period, and is ready to be launched as an even more exiting place to find that outfit you couldn’t find anywhere else once the High Street starts to open back up again. Wear your stunning item for that special occasion, then drop it back in for resale – it’s just like renting, except you get 50% cashback when it’s resold – nothing to lose, only gain!”
“We quality test every item that comes in, and it’s only those that pass our rigorous testing that end up on our rails, so you can be sure to grab a designer bargain. But that doesn’t mean we don’t accept B-grade items, it simply means we sell those on our sale rails or other online platforms.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, every item is only made available for sale once it has been through our sanitising process. Firstly, they are quarantined for the regulatory 76 hours – although, we usually store for longer to give our customers extra reassurance – then they are steamed and sprayed with a clothing sanitiser.
“Once they are packed and made ready for postage – usually 2nd Class – we add an additional 48 hours quarantine at minimum. If we deliver ourselves, the same process is strictly undergone. As the shop is currently closed, all our items are well over the minimum quarantined period.”
Just for that extra reassurance, Love Preloved has a strict and Covid-compliant safety regime: everything is handled after hand-sanitising and is done in an environment where everyone wears a mask.
As well as being active when it comes to health & hygiene, Love Preloved are very active on their social media, where you can find all their most recent designer items and special offers. We encourage you to also move in a digital direction where possible, since many local businesses have seen success in social engagement and sales by doing so.
