Thanks to the generous support of the local community, The Baytree Shopping Centre’s Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up is ready to open its doors this weekend, with over 400 dresses and suits donated.
image004.jpgThe Baytree, located in the heart of Brentwood, has been putting out the call for donations of gently worn dresses, suits, shoes and accessories, to give local teenagers the chance to receive the prom experience they deserve at no cost.
After conducting their own research into the prices of prom, The Baytree shared that on average parents reported the price of prom totalled a whopping £803, with the price of a dress or suit constituting on average £315 of this cost. The remainder consists of costs of everything from haircuts, highlights and beauty, to prom ticket price and transportation.
The survey also showed that 74% of parents reported that they would be concerned that they could not afford the outfit their child loved when visiting a prom shop and a huge 91% of parents have reported that they believe the price of proms have increased over the last few years, putting significant strain on budgets.
It is such statistics that have motivated The Baytree Shopping Centre to organise this event, providing the opportunity for teenagers to have an exciting and memorable shopping experience where they are able to browse dresses and suits with dignity and without the concern of a hefty price tag.
The Baytree has now closed its donation drop off points after an overwhelming response from the public. Over 400 stunning prom dresses have been dropped off from 150 different brands, many of which are unworn and still have the labels attached. Alongside the dresses, a multitude of suits have also been donated for attendees to shop, as well as jewellery, shoes and accessories for teenagers to take home.
The event has also received incredible support from local businesses who have assisted on everything from dry-cleaning and dress alterations, to the decoration of the pop-up shop and prizes to be enjoyed on the day. A full list of participating companies can be found on The Baytree’s website.
A very limited number of spaces are still available for the pop-up, with slots available for anyone who believes they would benefit from this service, running across the weekend of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March. Bookings can be made at The Baytree’s website.
Richard Wilson, spokesperson for The Baytree Shopping Centre commented, “We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has been generous enough to donate items to us for our prom pop-up shop. This is an incredible feat, and we certainly couldn’t offer the opportunity for local teenagers to enjoy this experience without the support of the community. We’d also like to say a huge thank you to all the local businesses who have got involved with this campaign and who will be there to support us on the day. We’re really looking forward to the weekend and to seeing these fabulous items being tried on and taken home!”
