When The Zip Yard Liverpool South’s fifth anniversary on November 27 began to loom large, store owner Iain McGuigan was determined to go beyond the usual cake, banners and balloons.

The plan was an ambitious – and selfless – one with three main objectives: to celebrate the store’s fifth year in business, to thank customers for their support and to raise funds for charity.

Sales for a certain time period spanning November and December would all go to Macmillan Cancer Support, a cause close to Iain’s heart as Macmillan nurses had cared for his father when he was suffering from cancer. Iain takes up the story:

“For a specific time period – three weeks out of four, our customers received a 50% discount, for example, we’d charge £5 for a pair of trousers to be repaired or altered instead of £10.”

The other 50% was donated to Macmillan Cancer Support. The business did not take any of the money for itself during this period.

Based at 105 Allerton Road L18, the store didn’t do any marketing or promote the fundraising initiative via its social media platforms for two main reasons: Iain wanted to reward loyal customers who’d backed him and his team for the past five years and as it was selling a service, which takes time, it only had a certain capacity.

Come the big ‘count-up’ moment in the middle of December, Iain received the best possible festive treat.

“We originally thought we’d raise around £3,000 and were delighted to reach £7,704 by the end of the three weeks” he recalled.

A specially designed poster spread the word to existing customers and newcomers alike and Iain and his colleagues were able to close the doors for the Christmas break on a high.

Nearly 12 months on, the store is still going strong with five full-time and three part-time members of staff.