ON Monday 1st August the doors open on the Harlow Community School Uniform Exchange – a new venture tackling the cost-of-living crisis at the start of the new school year.

The short-lived shop in the Harvey Centre will help parents find nearly-new uniforms for Harlow Schools.

It will open between 11am and 2pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. All items will be between 50p and £3.

Parents are asked to bring items that they no longer need to keep the shop stocked with good clothes throughout August. They are also advised to bring their own shopping bags to keep costs low.

Once schools are back the shop will close.

Based on Level One of the Harvey Centre, the shop is hosted by Phoenix Resources, partnered with Harlow’s Rainbow Services and MRCT who deliver the Foodbank and Bounty Club in the town.

MRCT’s Andy Thornton commented, “We have been blown away by just how many of our Harlow neighbours have handed in pre-loved uniforms! We are now looking forward to helping others get the benefit of that. We must have at least 2,000 items. It’s clear that people just hate throwing stuff out that still has some wear in it, so we feel great about keeping it in circulation! We are now ready for customers and more donors. It’s great to make Harlow a town to be proud of!”