Summary
We've relaunched our London Road charity shop in Brighton. The new look was unveiled on Thursday 24 April by our charity ambassador, global DJ Fatboy Slim, who surprised shoppers when he officially opened the doors.
Norman Cook (AKA Fatboy Slim) happily took photos with delighted shoppers and gave autographs. Martlets is a charity that is close to his heart, and he has been a supporter for many years.
He was extremely impressed when he first saw the shop and said: “It’s so airy, clean and stylish – it’s beautiful. I’m looking forward to spending many an hour browsing. This shop is very much part of the London Road community and that’s reflected here, especially in some of the fashion. But of course, the shop is helping to support Martlets and raise money for the hospice.”
Norman was also thrilled to see that a large wooden service desk had been donated by the family that once owned Dockerills hardware store, adding: “It’s worth coming here here just to check out the old Dockerills counter, that in itself is a beautiful piece of art.”
The event was also attended by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Mohammed Asaduzzaman, Martlets colleagues, volunteers and other ambassadors who support the charity. The grand opening was a celebration of the fresh new revamp of the reimagined shop. Guests cheered as Norman Cook cut the ribbon, enjoyed some cake, explored the shop and even found some bargains.
Inside and out, the new look for the London Road store brings a contemporary twist to the traditional charity shop. The branding is monochrome with wooden shop fittings.
The ethos of this shop is ‘repurpose, reuse and reinvent’ placing sustainability at its heart. In the past five years alone, the shop has already saved almost 232,500 items from landfill.
It’s situated in the perfect location to capture an eco-conscious audience – London Road is the charity shopping district for Brighton, and a hot spot for students too. It’s the perfect place to capture the interest of bargain hunters and those looking for some hidden gems.
Rachel Paisley, Director of Public Fundraising and Retail for the hospice, is excited to be leading the way in ‘reuse retail’, saying: “The whole ethos of this shop is centered around sustainability. Brighton is the ideal place for us to trial a brand-new look and feel which provides a high-end, yet ethical shopping experience. All our stock is donated; people are so generous, and give us high-quality items, it’s amazing what you find in the shop! The layout feels fresh, airy and neutral, it’s a wonderful place to grab a bargain and browse bric-a-brac.”
She also added: “Funding has been challenging for the hospice sector but the support from local people is phenomenal and the turn-out at the shop today is testament to how well-loved and appreciated Martlets is.”
The shop refurbishment was funded by a grant that the government allocated to hospices nationally. The funding was allocated for refurbishments and updating IT systems, which was ideal for the shop. By investing it in this way, we can ensure even more funds are generated to support hospice care for years to come.
Hospices receive very little funding from the government and operate as charities; this means that charity shops are vital to raising much-needed funds and awareness. The London Road shop has raised almost £1million in the past five years and this goes towards providing the necessary hospice care needed in the Brighton and Hove community.
Martlets has nine shops across the city and all are made possible by generous donations and invaluable volunteers. Find out about our current volunteer opportunities.
Published: 24/04/2025