A leading West Midlands charity is launching a special pre-loved bridal department at one of its fundraising shops.
Beacon Centre for the Blind is appealing for donations to ensure it offers the widest possible choice at its new wedding store in Bloxwich.
The store, at 220 High Street, sells a dazzling array of wedding dresses and accessories, gentlemen’s formal wear, mother of the bride outfits, hats, bags and shoes – but wants more for courting couples looking to add a feel-good factor to their big day.
Tracey Ford, retail operations manager for the charity, said: “Beacon operates seven shops across the West Midlands, delivering much-needed funds through the sale of new and donated goods.
“We selected Bloxwich as the ideal location to house our growing stock of bridalwear and formal clothing, and we are already welcoming local people who want to look good and feel great as their special day will help to support people living with a visual impairment.
“With the average wedding now costing around £18,000 – and the bride’s outfit alone taking over £1,000 of the budget – more and more people are looking for ways to cut costs but still have the perfect big day.
“Anyone with pre-loved formal clothing, especially bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride outfits and accessories, can donate them at any of our shops, and we will deliver them to the new wedding department at Bloxwich.”
More than 3,000 people in the community receive support from a team of dedicated outreach workers and social groups can meet at the Sedgley centre to participate in arts and crafts, music, fitness and IT sessions.
Money raised from the charity’s shops – in Wolverhampton, Bilston, Bloxwich, Wednesbury, Cannock, Halesowen and the centre in Sedgley – supports a range of services for people of all ages living with a visual impairment.
To find out more visit www.beacon4blind.co.uk