A Carlisle shopping centre is set to host a pop-up 'uniform swap shop' in partnership with local charity Carlisle Matters.

The Lanes Shopping Centre and community-focused charity Carlisle Matters are set to host the pop-up between Monday, August 19, and Friday, August 23 between 10 am and 3 pm. 

The 'swap shop', which will stock free school uniforms, will be hosted at 9 Grapes Lane, opposite Muffin Break in the city shopping centre, with The Lanes and Carlisle Matters encouraging families to check it out before they start their back-to-school shopping. 

Families in the Carlisle area who have old school uniforms that are no longer needed are also asked to donate these items to the 'swap shop' so they can be used by other local school pupils. 

Carlisle Matters' Helen Fisher, said: "Carlisle Matters believes that every child deserves to start the school year with confidence.

"With the cost-of-living crisis placing significant financial pressure on families, we’re proud to host the swap shop in partnership with The Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle, offering families free school uniforms with an optional donation to our charity."

Susan Young, centre manager at The Lanes echoed Helen's sentiment and added: "The Swap Shop will help ease financial pressure on families, allowing them to allocate resources to other essential needs.

"We would also like to encourage families that have school uniform clothing items that are too small, no longer suitable, or simply not needed to donate to the initiative to give old uniforms a second lease of life promoting sustainability and reducing waste"