Yorkshire businessman urges clothing retailers to put best foot forward
A Yorkshire businessman is urging footwear and clothing retailers and manufacturers to consider how they deal with seconds and returned stock this winter by donating it to the homeless and those in need following a huge increase in people living in poverty due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Simon Payne from Halifax is founder of Sole Responsibility – a business which buys seconds, returned and damaged branded shoes and clothing from some of the UK’s leading retailers – all of which would have been destined for landfill or incineration. The majority of these goods are then sold to consumers via an eBay store, however every year the business donates at least 10 per cent of its stock to local charitable causes.
In October, Simon worked with multiple charities across Yorkshire to donate boots to homeless and people living in poverty – with more than £25,000 worth of stock distributed to people in need in Yorkshire and the North West.
This winter he is donating more than 600 winter coats to homeless people in the North of England and has seen a huge increase in calls for help as the pandemic takes its toll on people across the region, with increasing numbers of people requiring support.
With night-time temperatures dropping, the entrepreneur is now urging retailers and clothing brands in Yorkshire and beyond to consider how they too could help this winter.
Simon Payne, founder, Sole Responsibility
Simon Payne, founder of Sole Responsibility, said: “As a business, charity has always been at the very heart of what we do. This winter we have noticed a huge step change in demand for support as the social and economic impact of the pandemic takes its toll. We have received enquiries and calls for help from all across the UK and it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a growing need for donations to help people through the next few months.
“What many people may not realise is that clothing retailers and manufacturers have ex display, damaged and returned stock which is often sent to landfill or incinerated because it isn’t commercially viable. Not only does this have a devastating environmental impact, but these goods could in fact be diverted to a better use – such as those in need, especially at this time of the year.”
Having set up Sole Responsibility in 2014 Payne has been working within the fashion industry to provide an ethical and sustainable route for subprime products to be sold to consumers or donated.
He explained: “For the past six years I have been working alongside some of the UK’s leading retailers to provide a solution to goods that they deem unsaleable – changing the perception of this subprime stock by selling it direct to consumers through an eBay shop front.
“CSR has always been crucial to our business and as temperatures plummet and we head towards the depths of winter, I’m now urging retailers to consider how they could make a tangible difference by doing something responsible with stock that cannot be sold – this small action could make a huge difference to people’s lives this winter.”
