Pictured: Carl Foley (Shop manager) in Forgotten Vintage

Birmingham's first charity shop dedicated to retro vintage clothing and accessories has opened in the city centre.

Forgotten Vintage in Great Western Arcade, Colmore Row, is jointly funded by Trident Reach the People Charity and SIFA Fireside, both of which support homeless people in Birmingham.

All proceeds will be split between the two charities and will be invested back in the city's work to tackle homelessness.

The store, which will be open six days a week, opened to shoppers on Saturday (26th November) and stocks a wide range of unisex vintage clothing from the '60s through to the '90s and is also preparing to expand to include vintage furniture.

Richard Leighton, Reach the People Charity's In-House Social Entrepreneur, said: "Forgotten Vintage is Birmingham's first charity shop dedicated solely to retro and vintage clothing, accessories and items.

"The shop is being opened initially on a six-month trial but we have high hopes that it will prove a hit with customers from teenagers upwards. It is a real first for Birmingham and we think people will love coming to see the array of items we've uncovered to sell."

Shop manager Carl Foley launched the Forgotten Vintage brand around 18 months ago and has previously traded via vintage and retro fairs. He said: "There are very few vintage shops in Birmingham compared with other cities in the UK and certainly this is the city's first vintage charity shop.

"I am convinced the demand is out there and the vintage market will grow and grow in Birmingham once there is somewhere like this for people to go."

Carl, aged 24, has a background in high street retail fashion but says he is keen to bring something a bit different to the market.

He says: "I've always been interested in fashion myself and I enjoy searching out fashion-based pieces from any era. Vintage clothing appeals to so many people, from students to people who remember things the first time round, and from collectors to fanatics who will only wear clothes from a particular era.

"Clothing from the '60s and '70s is always particularly popular, such as skinny jeans, pointy shoes and skinny ties, but anything which people remember and which is iconic can be classed as retro - even tracksuits from the '90s which I remember wearing myself!"

SIFA Fireside, which works alongside those who are socially excluded or disadvantaged, addressing alcohol issues and homelessness, has provided the shop with a storage facility so items can be cleaned up and prepared for sale. Forgotten Vintage will also be working with city fashion students who will be helping to customise items for sale.

It is hoped that the shop will be able to provide somewhere for people receiving support from the charities to volunteer to gain work experience and improve their employability skills.

Simon Hackett, Head of Development at SIFA Fireside, says: "We are extremely excited to launch this project and hope it will be the start of many happy shopping years to come for Birmingham residents.

"We will be accepting vintage donations throughout the duration of the store's opening and hope Forgotten Vintage will offer volunteer and training opportunities to individuals affected by homelessness and act as a platform into further training and employment."

Forgotten Vintage is appealing for people to donate any unwanted vintage clothing or furniture items. For more information, please call into the shop or contact store manager Carl Foley on 07564 603936.