June Whitfield opens new Kentish Town shop

June Whitfield opens new dawn of charity shop in Kentish Town

Fashion stylist Siouxsie on hand to provide personal shopping experience at launch of new Age UK shop

Kentish Town has been chosen as the location for a new Age UK concept shop as part of a national roll out of new-look charity shops by Age UK, the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged.

Located at 247 Kentish Town Road, it is one of four concept shops in England and will open its doors for the first time at 10am on Friday 11th June, with actress June Whitfield conducting the official opening. London fashion stylist Siouxsie will also be on-hand between 10am and 12pm to offer a personal styling service, with advice about how to create ‘new' outfits from ‘old' clothes for shoppers donating items to the charity shop on the day*.

Siouxsie will create some key looks for this season using clothes that have been donated by Age UK supporters, and her creations will be judged by the ever-stylish June at the opening. Shoppers will be able to get personal guidance on what to wear with what this season and top tips on customising clothes for a unique and fashionable style.

June said: "It is fantastic that Age Concern and Help the Aged have merged to become Age UK, who are a powerful voice for later life. I am delighted to be lending my support to this important cause and I hope the new concept shop becomes a real asset to the local community. I'm sure that there'll be many bargains to be had on launch day!"

The 860sq ft shop had been a Help the Aged shop, serving the community for over 20 years. Following its transformation it is being launched with the innovative ambition of becoming a community hub.

The shop will continue to be a great place for people to add to their wardrobe and purchase a wide range of donated and new items, including books and homeware. As well as this, Age UK hopes the concept shops will act as a gateway to other services and products available from the charity. The Kentish Town shop will be one of the first in the UK to feature interactive touchscreen kiosks, giving internet access to other Age UK services, including Age UK Advice, the new free information and advice line.  The additional in-store services are designed to help signpost local people in later life, carers and relatives to Age UK information and advice services, as well independent living products.

The Kentish Town concept shop, which began its refit on Monday 31st May, is one of nearly 500 Age UK retail outlets across the country. The shop will be fitted out in the new bold Age UK colours and incorporate contemporary shop fittings and signage. Goods will feature ‘I've been loved before, so love me again' tags, which reinforce the shop's position as a recycling centre for much-loved goods, so they can be loved again by others whilst raising money to support people in later life.

Nationally, the Age UK retail estate processes 20 million transactions a year generating much needed funds for people in later life, supported by 7,500 volunteers who donate their time. These volunteers include mother and son team Mary (80) and Derek Crofts (50), as well as Helen Dempsey - who has volunteered at the Kentish Town shop for nearly 12 years.

Steve Woodhead, Kentish Town shop manager, said: "We are really excited to be one of the four Age UK concept shops. Our new look reflects the bold Age UK identity and the shops will be a great, contemporary addition to the high street.

"We can't wait for local people to come and take a look at the new shop and find out about all the new services we'll be offering. As always, we rely on the public donating their much-loved quality items to us and on volunteers giving their time to help run our shops, so we hope local people will support us in any way they can. Come and take a look and you'll be surprised what you can find."

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Notes to editors

• * Service will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis between 10am and 12pm.
• Siouxsie is a freelance fashion stylist, based in London and has worked as a stylist on Gok's Fashion Fix, How to Look Good Naked and stylist for Muse music videos as well as editorial and catwalk experience.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged. The Age UK family includes Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI.

Age UK is inspired by the belief that it can improve the lives of people in later life. It celebrates ageing and believes it presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges at home and abroad. Age UK will challenge ageist prejudice in society, provide services that address market failures and support the public and private sectors to design age-friendly products and services. It will support people to remain in their own homes through campaigning and practical services and its Information and Advice service will offer millions of people support on a range of issues from claiming benefits to staying fit and healthy.

Age UK will fund biomedical research that helps tackle the ill health and poor quality of life that are too common as people age. Working with over 350 partners across the country, Age UK helps influence local decisions and deliver the most appropriate services. Its network of over 500 shops will act as a focal point for the local community, providing information and help with local services. Age UK works across the globe as well as in the UK, with its international partner, Help Age International, championing older people's rights and needs and as an active member of the DEC.

Media contact: Andrew Walker / Ashley Cox
Telephone: 020 8765 7512 / 020 8765 7513