‘Let’s Go Circular’ returns to Grand Arcade in Cambridge

Let’s Go Circular, Grand Arcade’s flagship sustainability-focused event, is returning to Cambridge between 21^st – 29^th October, building on the success of last year and celebrating the best Circular Economy initiatives from across the UK.

The nine-day event brings a jam-packed schedule of exhibitions, activities, pop-up stalls, and, new to for 2023, a pre-loved pop up shop and an exclusive ticketed eco-fashion show. Organisations confirmed to take part in this year’s Let’s Go Circular include: Give Your Best, Cambridge Carbon Footprint, Millers Music, Eco Bee, Sew Positive, Reimagine, Trash Chic, Qhere, Fantasia, Mouse and Bear, Kath Goodwin, Bubbly Bandits, and the Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT).

Martin Macwhinnie, General Manager at Grand Arcade, said: “The success of last year’s event showed us there is a huge demand for more responsibly sourced and alternative ways of shopping. Circular ways of living not only have a positive environmental impact but also can help people save money too. As a shopping centre, we have an important responsibility to showcase the best Circular Economy initiatives. What better way to host them all under one roof allowing our visitors to learn, share, and connect with others – for free!”

Julie Kervadec, Marketing Manager at Grand Arcade, added: “We were overwhelmed by the response to last year’s Let’s Go Circular, where almost all of the workshops we hosted were fully booked with waiting lists, and anticipate the same this year thanks to our stellar line up. We are excited to have some much-loved and respected local organisations as well as introduce new circular initiatives, such as a fashion show with Give Your Best and a pre-loved pop-up shop dedicated to repairs, pre-loved clothing and styling.”

As part of this year’s Let’s Go Circular, award-winning not for profit social enterprise, Give Your Best, the first circular platform where people can donate clothes online so refugee women and children, and other communities living in clothing poverty can shop for free, has joined forces with Grand Arcade to host The Good Fashion Show, to promote circular fashion and empower marginalised women and children. The ticketed event will transform the walkways of the shopping mall into a catwalk, and will feature female refugees and asylum seeker models wearing a collection of ethically and responsibly sourced catwalk fashion straight from the high street. Tickets will be available to purchase via Grand Arcade’s Eventbrite.

Sol Escobar, Founder and CEO at Give Your Best which has featured in Vogue and was highly commended in the DRAPERS Sustainable Fashion Awards, said: “We believe that someone’s legal status and financial circumstances shouldn’t mean a lack of choice in what they want to wear. At Give Your Best, a donation becomes a gift: the gift of choice, of empowerment and connection with the person sending the item.

“We’re excited and honoured to be partnering with Grand Arcade as part of its incredible circular initiative, to raise awareness of our work and celebrate the women and children of the refugee community we support. We’re committed to improving circularity in the fashion industry and tackling waste, while empowering people living in clothing poverty; this is a fantastic opportunity to do just that.”

For the full event itinerary and further information updates, visit Grand Arcade’s website: www.grandarcade.co.uk/events/lets-go-circular/