A Glasgow-based charity has set up its fashion brand in a new city centre location after being forced to close when its rent tripled. On a mission to end homelessness, fashion brand The Blankfaces has set up a new pop-up store at the Social Hub on Candleriggs, Glasgow. The charity faced a major challenge when the rent, bills, and rates at its West End store more than tripled, meaning founder Gerard McKenzie Govan had to close the premises earlier this month.
Working out of the shop in the West End's Great Western Road, The Blankfaces also offered a foodbank and a safe place for vulnerable people, alongside its clothing goods which are co-created with people who have experienced homelessness. Founder Gerard said: “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. "Footfall was down, but costs were going up – it just wasn’t sustainable.
" Now The Blankfaces new home in the social hub will allow them to continue work on helping people experiencing homelessness. The social hub opened in Glasgow earlier this year and is run as part hotel, part student accommodation, and part coworking space. The organisation has similar venues all across Europe including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Florence, Vienna, Paris, and Madrid.
The Glasgow location is the first of its kind in the UK. READ NEXT: Glasgow sheriff tells tenant to raise action over 'mould in home Ben McLeod, general manager at The Social Hub in Glasgow, said it was an easy decision to invite The Blankfaces to s.