700 retailers celebrate 175th anniversary of Retail Trust
Howard Lake | 19 February 2008 | News
Representatives from the retail world gathered last night at St. James’s Palace for a reception to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Retail Trust, the charity dedicated to providing support and advice to three million people who are working or have worked in the retail industry.
The Queen, patron of the charity since 1952, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, attended the reception and met many of Retail Trust’s 700 guests. Leading retail world figures were there including Sir Phillip Green, owner of BHS and Arcadia Group; Sir Stuart Rose, CEO, Marks & Spencer; and Don McCarthy, Executive Chairman, House of Fraser. They were joined by small independent retailers, shop floor workers and beneficiaries of the charity.
At the event the Retail Trust announced its plans to increase awareness, double the number of people the charity is able to help through its Helpline, and to double the number grants issued over the next five years.
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The retail industry is the second largest employer in the UK after the government, employing over three million people. It is also probably the largest employer of people close to or on the minimum wage.
The Retail Trust Helpline 0845 766 0113 is available free of charge to anyone who is working or has worked in retail. People contact the Helpline with concerns about family problems, bereavement, debt, alcohol or drug abuse, employment issues, legal advice, domestic violence or violence at the workplace. When necessary, people may be referred to specialist legal or counselling services.
www.retailtrust.org.uk
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.