'Much-needed' pre-loved uniform shop to open

The original idea for a second hand uniform shop came from Peterborough's youth MP Danielle Daboh

A new shop selling pre-loved school uniforms is due to open in a community hub.

The Second Chance Uniform Shop is a collaborative effort between Peterborough City Council, Peterborough Youth Council, Youth MP Danielle Daboh, and the Co-op.

It will stock blazers, shirts, trousers, and other items and opens on Wednesday at Queensgate Shopping Centre's Roots and Rise unit – a community hub dedicated to empowering the local community through arts, education, and social action.

Peterborough's cabinet member for children's services, Councillor Katy Cole, called it a "fantastic community initiative and a much-needed one".

The uniform shop will be open all week at the Queensgate Shopping Centre

The new shop follows a council-led uniform swap held in July, which the local authority said "proved to be very successful" with more than 100 people in attendance.

The venture was also part of Daboh's manifesto, which concentrated on the high costs of school uniforms.

Speaking about the swap, she said: "It championed reusing school uniforms and helped to alleviate the stress for families during the back-to-school period."

Cole added: "Our initial one-day version at the start of the summer holiday was such a success that we are delighted to bring it back permanently.

"This is a fantastic community initiative and a much-needed one, which we hope can really help families across Peterborough for years to come."

Primary and secondary school items will be available for people to swap or take from the store.

The project welcomes donations of good-quality school uniforms from schools, families, and community groups and can be dropped off at the Roots and Rise unit located on the first floor of the shopping centre.