A new shop selling sportswear at affordable prizes has been opened by a charity in Peterborough.
On Thursday (December 19), the grand opening of the Sparx was held in Queensgate. The new store has opened in the unit formerly occupied by Argos on the upper floor.
The store sells end of line and end of season ranges from a number of the leading sports brands including Regatta, Boohoo, Kickers, Speedo, Canterbury and many more at prices discounted as much as 70% off retail price.
SPARX (Sport. Participate. Art. Recycle. Xcel.) is a charity that offers recreational, sports, arts, and leisure opportunities for children, young people and adults in the community.
The charity was set up to give young people employment and sports opportunities through a professionally run chain of charity sports shops staffed by employees and volunteers.
The funds raised through the stores are reinvested into sports participation projects, giving young people further opportunities to gain confidence, boost self-esteem and improve their mental and physical health, while also steering them away from being drawn into crime and anti-social behaviour.
The charity was founded by Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero of the Year award winner in 2010, Lance Haggith OBE and has six other stores across the country including in Stevenage, Loughborough and Runcorn. Peterborough is the charity’s biggest store yet, however.
Store Manager Yanni Lance Konstantinopulos said: “It is really exciting to be opening up this new store and to be able to bring some big name brands to people at much lower prices than retail.
"We have some big plans to extend the store further in the coming weeks and some really big plans for how we can use some of the space above the shop, which we can’t reveal just yet.
"Our charity supports children and young adults to help them improve their mental health, potentially get them off the streets and out of gang or drug culture to help them to channel their energy into something more creative and purposeful for their lives.”
The project is part of the multi-agency Alliance initiative in central Peterborough – a community-focused campaign to regenerate areas of the city identified as being disproportionately impacted by crime.
The scheme sees agencies such as Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Peterborough City Council, and other public sector organisations working in collaboration with faith centres, education providers and voluntary and community groups.
By working in partnership with agencies and the local community, the initiative aims to develop long-term solutions to issues, make the area less attractive to criminals, and build a better future for areas impacted by crime.
Darryl said: “I’m really proud of our partnership with SPARX and the wider Alliance network in bringing this project to fruition in Peterborough. Already, the store is providing opportunities for young people to gain the experience and skills they need to secure employment and develop the confidence and self-esteem that are vital for personal growth.
“This project demonstrates collaboration at its best and highlights the importance of working in partnership with local communities and other agencies to address issues such as violence and serious organised crime that make our neighbourhoods unsafe and increase the risk of harm.”
Lance Haggith (OBE), Lead Trustee at SPARX Charity, added: “We are honoured to welcome Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston to SPARX and deeply appreciate his support for the vital work we do.
“This visit also celebrates the incredible collaboration between SPARX, Peterborough Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, and local community leaders.
"Together, we are creating meaningful opportunities for young people and driving positive change. Commissioner Preston’s endorsement, alongside the continued support from our partners, highlights the significant impact of these initiatives, and we look forward to further strengthening these collaborations to transform lives.”
