Pop-up prom shop allows Kirton Thomas Middlecott Academy leavers the chance to hire £400 suits and dresses for just £10 in bid to battle cost of living crisis

An academy has set up a pop-up prom shop to ensure its school leavers do go to the ball – and the chance to wear a £400 outfit for just £10.

Kirton’s Thomas Middlecott Academy has launched The Prom Cellar – which hopes no year 11 students will be made to miss out on the big end-of-year event due to the cost of living crisis.

The school was concerned that not all students would be able to attend their own prom due to the financial implications.

But The Prom Cellar will provide sustainable and low-cost rentals for students, with dresses and suits with an RRP of up to £400 for just £10 hire.

Following a call for donations of suits, dresses, and accessories, the school received an overwhelming response, with many donations from the local community, including from Skopes at Springfields Outlet, as well as nationwide brands, including Misguided and I Saw It First.

Various styles of dresses are on offer, with sizes ranging from 4 to 18.

Suits are also available in a variety of sizes.

“As the outfits will be offered each year, The Prom Cellar also presents a sustainable fashion solution, in addition to supporting students financially,” a statement read.

Outfits will be hired out to students for £20 each, with £10 being refunded once the item is returned following the event.

The minimal cost is solely to cover dry cleaning expenses, in order for The Prom Cellar to remain able to re-hire outfits each year.

Kimberley Willmott, executive principal, Thomas Middlecott Academy, said: “We are very excited to launch The Prom Cellar and support our school leavers during the cost of living crisis.

“We are fully aware that a number of families will be concerned by the financial implications of attending the prom, with one of the largest worries the cost of buying a new suit or dress.

“After various consultations on how we could do more to help, we developed The Prom Cellar, and thanks to support from the local community and national businesses we have received a huge amount of donations that will support our students for years to come.”

Thomas Middlecott Academy is still accepting donations of suits, dresses, and accessories.

Any businesses or individuals who would like to support may contact school reception for more information.

The Prom Cellar is open by appointment only for Thomas Middlecott Academy students, also by contacting school reception.