STRETFORD, MANCHESTER—It started in a quiet, soon-to-be-demolished corner of Stretford Mall. In a space designed for fast, disposable retail, Stitched Up launched a radically different kind of high street experience. They launched a sustainable clothing hub built on the mantra of "make do and mend."
For over three years, Unit 40 in Stretford Mall was more than just a shop. It was a brightly coloured beacon in a fading 1960s precinct, a place where reclaimed fabric, vintage haberdashery, and the whir of sewing machines replaced the sterile anonymity of chain stores. It became an essential fixture in the local community—a space not for buying new, but for revitalizing the old.
The Power of Place
Founded in 2011, Stitched Up had always worked to tackle the social and environmental cost of the fast fashion industry. But establishing a physical presence in a retail environment like Stretford Mall cemented their mission. Through workshops like ‘Zero to Hero: Learn to Sew in a Day,’ monthly Clothes Swaps, and popular Repair Cafes, they transformed a retail unit into a hands-on learning centre.
"We are very much subscribed to the view that the most sustainable garment you have is the one already in your wardrobe."
explains Bryony Moore, a co-founder of the collective.
"Everything we do is about helping you keep your clothes in use for longer."
The hub’s accessibility was its magic. People who are homeless, students, older residents, and local crafters all passed through its doors. Not just learning a practical skill, but building community. It stood as a powerful, living contrast to the prevailing consumer culture. Showing that sustainable living didn't have to be expensive or inaccessible.
The Inevitable Farewell
However, the forces driving the Mall's transformation—and its eventual demolition—proved too great. In March 2024, the Stretford shop was closing. Like many independent businesses, they found that rising costs and the broader economic climate made their tenancy impossible amidst the major redevelopment.
"It wasn't an easy decision,"
the team stated at the time.
"Rising costs and the cost of living crisis have made it impossible for us to stay."
The closure marked a tinge of sadness for Stretford. Losing a truly unique, community-focused independent while other businesses were also being displaced by the ambitious regeneration project.
A New Thread in Ancoats
For a group dedicated to finding creative solutions, the loss of a physical shop was merely a setback, not an end. After a period of disruption, holding pop-up events at friendly local venues like Stretford Public Hall, Stitched Up announced its new permanent base: Bridge 5 Mill in Ancoats, Manchester.
Bridge 5 Mill is a historically significant former Victorian silk factory that was reimagined as Manchester’s first centre for sustainable living. It provides a natural, mission-aligned home for Stitched Up, allowing them to collaborate with other social and environmental organisations.
And The Work Goes On
The work goes on. The core of their operation—the transformative workshops, the educational talks on textile waste, and the vibrant community energy—has been carefully moved and re-stitched into the new venue. While the physical shop is gone, their mission continues through regular public workshops. They still sell their reclaimed textiles online and at their popular Yard Sales.
Stitched Up’s journey from a fleeting pop-up in a dying mall to a celebrated flagship sustainable hub is a testament to the enduring power of grassroots action. They may have left the precinct, but the sustainable seeds they planted in the heart of Stretford have already taken root across Greater Manchester. They don't just sell thread; they are trying to weave a new vision for the future of fashion.
Check them out in this video from 3 years ago!
Here is the timeline of their main locations:
- Chorlton-cum-Hardy (527B Wilbraham Rd): This was their long-standing HQ from 2014, where they ran their initial workshops and textile reuse programs.
- Stretford Mall (Unit 40): This was their more recent public-facing hub and shop from late 2020 until it closed in March 2024.
- Bridge 5 Mill, Ancoats: This is their current official headquarters and the primary venue for all their public workshops, courses, and volunteer sessions, as of late 2024.