FASHIONISTAS looking for the best place to get their fix should head along to Harris and Hoole to browse the rails of a new pop-up shop.

Local charity Empower, which supports various community projects in The Gambia, has long held monthly fashion shows and bargain nights, as well as other fundraising events, and in the summer expanded into holding a monthly pop-up shop.

Since July, on the first weekend every month Empower has showed off its bargain designer wear above Old Town’s juice bar, The Core, in Devizes Road.

But when Harris and Hoole, the resident cafe at the Tesco Extra store in Ocotal Way, said Empower could hold a pop-up shop on its premises for three days, Jo Heaven, who founded the charity, thought it was an opportunity too good to miss.

She said: “Kris Talikowski, who owns The Core, was so kind letting us use the room and they have been fantastic.

“But I think he’s made an arrangement with the Yoga Shak and needed the space for them.

“At about the same time I got in touch with Harris and Hoole, who said we could open over three days rather than just a weekend.

“It’s a bit of a bigger space and it’s where people will be shopping for clothes anyway, and it’s not like I’m a direct competitor for Tesco either.

“We have so many fantastic clothes available. I’m drawn to colours and fabrics and they are always pieces that have something quirky about them. I have brands like John Rocha, Karen Millen, Monsoon, Per Una, all sorts, all for £25 and under.

“It’s not like what you might find in many vintage shops, things that say they are vintage but things that look like what you’re grandmother wore and smell a bit funny. These are really nice items. Shabby chic, knitted wear, everything.”

Jo ensures every event raises money towards a particular project, so those who take part can see the impact their donations make.

She said: “This will kickstart our next project, which is funding Daru Lower Basic School’s new kitchen and refurbishment of the nursery class and dining hall.

“In total the refurbishment will cost about £1,200 and will make such a difference to the children.We have had so much support, people now come along just to say hello and find out how we’ve been getting on.

“The difference that the money we raise can make to these children’s lives is phenomenal. A new kitchen means that children can eat better meals, which means they will be able to concentrate better and learn more and grow up and be able to achieve more too.”

  •  The next pop-up shop will take place at Harris and Hoole from 10am to 6pm on December 5 and December 6 and from 11am to 4pm on December 7.

For more information about Empower or to find out how you can get involved visit www.facebook.com/EmpowertheGambia