The Marlowes launches pre-loved charity drive

The Marlowes Hemel Hempstead

The Marlowes Shopping Centre has announced the launch of its latest community-focused initiative, ‘Where Pre-Loved Gets Re-Loved’. Starting on 12 May, the centre will transform a vacant retail unit into a vibrant donation hub, inviting local residents to declutter their homes for two vital causes.

Inspired by the circular economy, the campaign encourages shoppers to donate high-quality unwanted items including clothing, toys, books, working small appliances, and small homeware to give them a second lease of life. The donation phase of the campaign will run throughout the spring into summer, with dedicated drop-off days from 12 May every Tuesday and Thursday from 12-4pm.

This initiative is part one of The Marlowes Summer Festival, due to happen in the summer:

  • Phase One (Launching 12 May): The community is invited to bring their ‘pre-loved’ treasures to the designated unit within The Marlowes.
  • Phase Two (Launching summer 2026): The centre will host a retail event where the donated items will be categorised and displayed. Members of the public will be invited to ‘fill a bag for £5’, ensuring everyone can bag a bargain while helping household budgets stretch further during these harder financial times. Every penny of the proceeds will be split between the Alzheimer’s Society and Animal Support Angels.

Humphrey Mwanza, Centre Manager at The Marlowes Shopping Centre, says: ‘We are proud to announce the launch of our charity drive with the motto of ‘Where Pre-Loved Gets Re-Loved’. The Marlowes has always been at the heart of the Hemel community, and this campaign allows us to support not only two incredible charities but also the local community during harder financial times while promoting sustainability. We’ve seen a fantastic response from local schools and community groups already, and we can’t wait to see the unit filled with items that will eventually find new homes and raise crucial funds.’

The Marlowes has already engaged with over 40 local primary and secondary schools, as well as emergency services, local communities, and youth organisations like the Scouts and Girlguiding, to ensure the message reaches every corner of the town.

Shoppers are encouraged to look out for the campaign posters around the centre for more information on how to get involved and which items are currently being accepted.