In a full-circle moment for Exeter’s retail landscape, the building that once housed House of Fraser will return to its shopping roots this Christmas, but with a twist. On Sunday 7 December, The Club Preloved will transform Hotel Indigo Exeter’s entire ground floor into the city’s only sustainable Christmas market.

The venue’s transformation from House of Fraser to Hotel Indigo, and now to a sustainable marketplace, mirrors the broader evolution happening across the retail industry. Where a traditional department store once drew crowds to discover quality and curation, The Club Preloved founder Lauren Cooley will host 10-15 carefully selected sustainable businesses showcasing preloved fashion, vintage treasures, circular brands and conscious gifting.

The Club Preloved connects over 150 sustainable brands, conscious creators and purpose-led businesses globally, with a combined reach of over 2 million. The platform bridges the gap between small businesses and big opportunities, creating immersive events that prove community collaboration is the future of sustainable fashion.

 

 

“This venue tells the story of retail’s evolution in one building,” says Cooley. “From iconic department store to boutique hotel, and now back to retail, but this time, retail reimagined with intention and values at its heart. It’s not just a venue choice; it’s a statement about honouring where we’ve been while creating where we’re going.”

Running from 1pm-7pm on 7 December, the event will transform Hotel Indigo’s downstairs and restaurant area, newly relaunched as Dottie’s, into an immersive boutique shopping experience featuring live music from local artists, exclusive sustainable sellers, and the signature community-driven atmosphere that has made The Club Preloved events sell out across the UK.

 

 

A movement, not just a market

The Club Preloved has built a reputation for creating experiences that feel more like celebrations than shopping events. Following its sold-out Manchester Fashion Week takeover that attracted 150+ attendees and garnered BBC Radio coverage, and its Devon debut that united 50+ creators with a combined reach of 2 million followers, the Christmas Boutique Market represents the next evolution of community-driven sustainable retail.

“We’re redefining how people shop, connect, and celebrate the festive season,” Cooley explains. “This isn’t about competing with traditional Christmas markets; it’s about offering something entirely different. Luxury, excitement and energy, all rooted in values rather than volume. This building was once where people came to find quality and curation; we’re bringing that ethos back.”

The Christmas Boutique Market is part of The Club Preloved’s UK-wide expansion following the launch of its Regional Ambassador Programme. With ambassadors now leading events in Manchester, London and the North West, as well as international expansion planned for 2026, the organisation is scaling its community-driven model nationwide.

“Every event proves that conscious consumers aren’t asking for less – they’re asking for better,” concludes Cooley. “Better quality, better stories, better impact. And they’re willing to show up, support small businesses, and be part of something that matters. This Christmas market in Exeter – in this iconic building – is proof that sustainable retail isn’t the future. It’s already here, and it’s honouring everything retail was always meant to be.”

For further information on The Club Preloved, please click here.