A NEW vintage clothing store is opening in Stokes Croft today which will put all its profits into "empowering" young women in the city.

The Gold Mine, which will remain open until mid October, has been set up by the people behind another vintage shop in Cheltenham Road – Shop Dutty.

Louisa Jones and Joh Rindom have worked together in the industry for six years since meeting through friends about 12 years ago.

The new venture is opening in a building at 15-19 Stokes Croft opposite the Pieminister cafe. It is a disused motorcycle showroom which has been used in the past for arts projects such as the market Central-Reservation.

The not-for-profit shop will be part of the women's organisation Dutty Enterprises, and the store's revenue will be used to offer fashion and music workshops to young women in Bristol.

Miss Jones and Miss Rindom say The Gold Mine will be Bristol's biggest vintage clothing store – on a par with some of the larger shops that can be found in Manchester and London.

Miss Jones, 33, of St Paul's, said: "There are lots of smaller vintage shops in Bristol, but nothing of this size. The Gold Mine would fit our current shop in it about eight times.

"There will be a huge selection of all eras of vintage and retro from the 1950s to the 1990s, and the prices will be affordable.

"We have been working really hard to get things ready for this – going to get stock for weeks from a recycling plant we get clothes from and anywhere else we can find it. We are looking forward to the challenge of running this place – but really excited at the same time.

"In two months we will have to give the building back, but if it all goes well we would like to continue the venture in some way."

The pair say the store will be a "bargain-hunter's paradise". Clothes will be sold at a uniform price – dresses will be from £8, skirts from £5, jumpers from £8 and jackets from £15.

There will also be a "chillout" area for shoppers to relax and have a cup of tea and a cupcake, and listen to some music.