Prison charity Fine Cell Work has this week opened its first Pop-Up Shop in Mayfair, selling exquisite needlepoint and embroidered home furnishings and fashion accessories.
The social enterprise is supported by The Westminster Foundation, Grosvenor’s charitable foundation. Situated at 5 Grosvenor Streetm Mayfair, the shop is open now until the 30th September as an example of Grosvenor’s commitment to social enterprise, for which they have offered the temporary space free of charge in order to support Fine Cell Work’s efforts in fostering hope, discipline and self-esteem within the UK’s prisons.
Stitchers spend an average of 20 hours per week doing embroidery in their cells: the highest earners stitch for as long as 40 hours. It’s a way of life that enables them to serve their time with dignity and purpose and the earnings give them skills and independence. This helps them to connect to society and to leave prison with the confidence and financial means to stop offending. Fine Cell Work is done in 29 prisons with 500 prisoners and 75% of the stitchers are men. All of the classes have waiting lists. Fine Cell Work is a charitable initiative which is funded 40% by sales and 60% by donations and trusts. Prisoners earn 37% of the proceeds from the sale of their work and the remainder is reinvested in training workshops, materials and Fine Cell Work’s development. I'm sure you'll agree it's a worthy project.
The range, including cushions and quilts is designed in collaboration with famous designers such as Cath Kidston, Nicky Haslam and Emily Peacock. These designs are then made by the prison inmates who are trained and paid to produce these beautiful and desirable pieces to the highest quality.
More than your average shop, Fine Cell Work has planned a series of fun and engaging events in-store, such as ‘sew-cials’ where visitors can stitch tapestries and gain advice from volunteers. Evening talks by skilled embroiders and designers such as Wallpaper creator, Claire Coles, will take place as well as discussions with ex prisoners about the beneficial effects of the program. There will also be a showcase of some of the recent commissions that Fine Cell Work has undertaken, as well as bespoke projects for interior designers and private clients.
Grosvenor has previously worked with Jenny Packham and Jo Malone to launch pop-up shops across the London estate. Grosvenor’s head of retail and commercial leasing, Helen Franks, said: “Fine Cell Work is a very exciting artisan retailer, and the pop-up shop offers an excellent opportunity for them to raise the awareness of their beautiful creations and the importance of their work to the lives of the prisoners that are involved.
“Grosvenor is always looking out for new brands that we can help incubate and grow. This is the first time we have worked with a charity and we are delighted to be able to assist.”
The Pop-Up Shop is open now at 5 Grosvenor Street, Mayfair W1K 4DJ. For more information on Fine Cell Work visit www.finecellwork.co.uk
