Vintage Viola moves into Sports Direct unit in Old Market Place

Vintage Viola, a store set up by the River Reeves Foundation, has changed spaces and it is open from today, Saturday.

Sharon Dunne, trustee of the music charity and manager of the shop now has a much larger space and also plans to use the upstairs space to create a music haven for upcoming talent.

“It came from my desire to create a really safe space for young people,” said Sharon.

“When I grew up in Warrington there weren’t very many places to go – I used to hang out in the phone boxes around the corner from where Viola Beach sat on the top of.

“When I moved back to Warrington in 2007 it seemed like there still weren’t many places to hang out.

“It’s partly about the retail space but also about the desire to have a community space everybody that caters for youngsters.”

The vintage clothes help tackle the fash fashion model

Another look at the renovated space

Sharon, who grew up in Orford, hopes that the larger shop can further spread the word about shopping sustainably.

She continued: “It’s massive from a sustainability point of view. I’m really passionate about stopping fast fashion from being a thing.

“Certainly with the increase in prices now, people are seeing that vintage is an affordable alternative.

“To be able to provide an amazing shop like this where people can come in and buy pre-loved goods at amazing prices while giving it to charity is a win-win.

“I’m super proud of that.

“We’re also trying to break people’s perceptions of what a charity shop looks like.

“It’s really important to encourage people to shop sustainably. I really hope people are looking in thinking that it doesn’t look like a charity shop and want to have a look.”

The shop has tributes to Viola Beach such as the umbrellas, Kris Leonard's mum, Lisa, has put together a tribute wall and Sharon is painting the changing rooms as phone boxes.

“We’re doing a legacy project for them as well and I think it’s important that people do remember them,” said Sharon.

“We wash everything here, we repair things and nothing goes out unless it’s fit for purpose. It’s almost like looking after River’s bedroom with the same wallpaper and my own sofa.

“It’s a home from home.”

Brewed Boy Coffee will be situated there too

After moving from the Golden Square, Brewed Boy Coffee Co has also joined forces with Vintage Viola to be based there.

“We felt it was a good fit.

“His ethical values and what he wants to do is the perfect match with us so have him on board is amazing.

“To be able to come in a shop, get a coffee, chill out a bit, it’s an experience.”

And in the coming months, Sharon hopes they can garner support and donors for the upstairs space to help provide spaces for the new generations of artists.

Sharon, based in Grappenhall, added: “A lot of the young bands that start out are 16 and 17 and can’t actually go into pubs so there is a gap between 16 and 19 for where they can perform.

“Hopefully, we can fit in that niche there.

The upstairs space is for all

The hope is to create a space for young bands and artists to play and practise

“It has come about by an accident with River but it’s also my desire as an ex-teacher and Ben Dunne’s desire as an ex-head teacher to create an amazing safe, space for youngsters.

“Upstairs will come down to funding as it won’t be cheap.

“Now we are open, people see the potential and donors and sponsors will want to come on board with it and will see the need for that safe space for young people to realise their dreams.

“I also need volunteers if people would like to donate their time and be part of the project.

“I’m hoping people come in, share the love and buy some groovy clothes.”

Donations can be made at https://www.riverreevesfoundation.org/get-involved/donate.