THE Baytree Shopping Centre has announced the return of its much-loved Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up Shop in 2026, following the overwhelming success of last year’s initiative, which helped over 220 local teenagers attend their prom with confidence and pride.
After receiving an incredible response from families, schools and community partners in 2025, the shopping centre is once again opening its doors to provide free prom outfits for both girls and boys, including dresses, suits, shoes and accessories, ensuring that no young person misses out on this important milestone due to financial pressures.
With the cost of living continuing to impact families across the UK, prom expenses can feel out of reach for many. Research showed in 2025 that the average cost of prom can exceed £700, with a significant portion spent on clothing, hair and make-up alone. The Baytree’s Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up Shop aims to remove that barrier, offering a welcoming, dignified shopping experience at no cost whatsoever. The initiative is carefully targeted to support families who may find the cost of prom challenging, working closely with local schools, councils and support organisations to ensure it reaches those who need it most.
The Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up Shop will be open at The Baytree Shopping Centre on Saturday 21st March (9am until 5pm) and Sunday 22nd March (10am until 4pm). Key Lime PR & Marketing, the retained marketing agency for The Baytree will once again be co-ordinating the project. Following the incredible success of the 2025 event, the team is delighted to return with this heartwarming community initiative for 2026, allowing teenagers to browse, try on and choose outfits they love in a dedicated retail space within the centre, just like a traditional prom shop, but completely free.
The 2026 Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up Shop is also proudly supported by Brentwood Connected who are delighted to be supporting this year’s Prom promotion as an official sponsor, helping make the initiative possible for local young people. Commercial radio station, Radio Essex are supporting as the media partner, helping to spread the word across the county and ensure this community-focused initiative reaches those who need it most.
Sarah Walmsley, Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District Manager commented: “Brentwood Connected is proud to support the return of the Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up. This initiative embodies everything we stand for as a Business Improvement District bringing our community together, ensuring every young person has the chance to enjoy important milestones with confidence and pride. The incredible response to last year’s event showed just how much this matters to people across Brentwood, and we’re delighted to play a part in making prom accessible to all. We’d like to thank everyone who has donated items and given their time to help create such a positive, inclusive experience for our young residents.”
Chris Brooks, Programme Director at Radio Essex added: “We’re delighted to continue supporting the Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up Shop initiative. It’s a fantastic community project that makes a genuine difference to local families, and we’re proud to help encourage donations and awareness through our station.”
To make the 2026 event possible, The Baytree is once again calling for donations of gently worn prom dresses, suits, shoes and accessories. All sizes, styles and colours are welcome, and each donated item has the power to make a real difference to a young person preparing for their big night. Donations can be dropped off at: The Baytree Centre Management Office (postcode CM14 4BX), located at the rear of the shopping centre, Dee Creases (Press On), The Keys Eagle Way, Great Warley, Warley, Brentwood CM13 3BP, Laundry & Latte, 27 Warley Hill, Warley, Brentwood CM14 5HR or Key Lime PR & Marketing, Audit House, 151 High Street, Billericay, CM12 9AB. Items are kindly requested to be dropped off in protective coverings where possible.
Maria Kyriacou-Edwards Centre Manager at The Baytree Shopping Centre, commented: “The response to our Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up Shop last year was truly heart-warming. Seeing over 200 teenagers leave feeling confident, excited and prom-ready reinforced just how important this initiative is for our community. We’re incredibly proud to be bringing it back for 2026 and supporting even more young people to enjoy a night they’ll remember forever. We’re hugely grateful to everyone who donated last year and hope the community will once again come together to help us make prom possible for even more young people.”
