Goths, punks and vintage clothing lovers can refresh their wardrobes for free next week as the Black Cat Swap comes to Southport Market.
The event takes place on Wednesday 14 October, running from 5pm to 8pm. Organised by The Hearth Network CIC as part of their Swish & Stitch project, the swap focuses on vintage, punk, goth and alternative fashion.
A special Halloween costume swap stand is also being introduced for local families. Parents can bring outgrown costumes and trade them for a new size ahead of 31 October.
Research by environmental charity Hubbub and the Fairyland Trust estimated in 2019 that UK Halloween costumes generate roughly 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, with most outfits thrown away after a single wear.
Rebecca Armstrong, Project Lead at The Hearth Network, said:
“Black Cat is our chance to have some fun with it. Southport has a brilliant alternative and vintage crowd, and so much good clothing sits at the back of wardrobes. Bring the leather jacket you never wear, the band T-shirts, the costume the kids have outgrown, and go home with something new to you. Every item swapped stays in use and out of landfill.”
The initiative is open to all ages, with no restriction on the number of items participants can bring. Attendees can drop clothes off between 5pm and 6pm and leave, or stay to browse and swap until 8pm. Entry is free, and while tickets are not required, registering via Eventbrite helps organisers monitor headcount.
This marks the third of six planned community swaps at Southport Market. Previous events in August and September successfully diverted over 106 kilograms of clothing from landfill.
Unclaimed items from the night will be distributed to local causes. Good-quality clothes are passed to the Free Clothes Store at Lakeside Church or kept for community textile workshops, while worn items are sent to the Salvation Army for recycling.
The Swish & Stitch project is delivered in partnership with Enhance Events, Southport Market, and local volunteers, with funding provided by the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority and Veolia through the Zero Waste Community Fund 2026–27.
Anyone unable to attend can access short repair guides and make a pledge to extend the life of their clothes at the project’s online Garment Care Hub.
