NEW research from The Baytree Shopping Centre suggests proms are more expensive than ever
Bookings have opened for The Baytree Shopping Centre’s upcoming Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up Shop amid new research which suggests the cost of proms is now higher than ever.
The Baytree, located in the heart of Brentwood, has been putting out the call for the general public to donate gently worn dresses, suits, shoes and accessories, to give local teenagers the chance to receive the prom experience they deserve at no cost.
To find out more about the rising costs of proms, The Baytree put out a call to shoppers to answer questions from their children’s experiences in recent years. Parents reported that the price of prom totalled a whopping £803 on average, with the price of a dress or suit constituting on average £315 of this cost. The remainder consists of costs of everything from haircuts, highlights and beauty, to prom ticket price and transportation.
It is easy to see how the rising cost of living has led to parents to feel that prom is a financially daunting event, with 74% of parents reporting that they would be concerned that they could not afford the outfit their child loved when visiting a prom shop. In addition, a huge 91% of parents have reported that they believe the price of proms have increased over the last few years, putting significant strain on budgets.
It is such statistics that have motivated The Baytree Shopping Centre to organise this event, providing the opportunity for teenagers to have an exciting and memorable shopping experience, where they are able to browse dresses and suits with dignity and without the concern of a hefty price tag.
TV personality Chantelle Houghton is partnering with The Baytree Shopping Centre as their Prom Pop-Up ambassador, and has commented “I’ve seen first-hand the length at which some families go to in order to provide the perfect prom experience for their children, and can recognise the financial struggles that some parents go through in order to provide this. It’s because of this that I’m so proud to be partnering with The Baytree on their Pre-Loved Prom Pop-Up Shop. This is a fantastic community initiative that is going to have such real-life impact on the experiences and confidence of these teens, offering the experience to shop for a prom dress as normal, and completely for free. I encourage anyone who is curious about booking on to find out more on the website, there really are no strings attached and the wonderful team at The Baytree will be on-hand for a day to remember!”
The Baytree is still accepting donation of pre-loved items in good condition, with a drop off point conveniently located at The Baytree’s Centre Management (postcode CM14 4BX), located at the back of the shopping centre. If garments can be dropped off in a protective covering, this is preferable.
An overwhelming number of items have already been dropped off, with size inclusive options for every taste and accompanying accessories for some additional sparkle available. Those attending will be able to browse through, try on and walk away with whichever items they choose – completely free of charge.
Bookings have opened on The Baytree’s website with slots available for anyone who feels that they would benefit from this service. Due to popular demand an additional date has already been added to allow even more pupils to pay a visit, meaning the pop-up will be open on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March.
Richard Wilson, Managing Director of Apple Hatch consultant to SAIL, Operators of The Baytree Shopping Centre commented “Proms are a milestone experience for many teenagers, and they deserve to have the opportunity to have a night to remember. The statistics provided from our research highlight an alarming increase in the spending habits of the average family when it comes to prom season, with many having to make sacrifices to afford a ticket, let alone all of the extras that come with the experience.”
Richard continues “We would like to express our thanks to everyone who has already donated to make this experience possible. We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed with the number of fantastic items and have loved hearing all of the stories these pieces have associated with them. It will make for a truly magical experience for the teenagers who have booked on to come shopping at the pop-up here at The Baytree.”
This promotion is association with Radio Essex.
Chris Brooks, Programme Director at Radio Essex, commented “We’d like to thank our listeners for donating so generously so far – but our work is not done yet! The Baytree is still accepting donations for prom items until the beginning of March, and it is clear that there are many families who need our help. If you feel as though this service could be beneficial for you, bookings are also open on The Baytree’s website.”
For more information, visit www.baytreeshoppingcentre.com or email [email protected]
