Ban the box to get cons into work
BY STEPHEN STEWART FORMER prisoners should not be asked about their criminal records when applying for jobs, a campaign said yesterday.
Virgin Trains and employer network Release Scotland backed research by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice calling on employers to “ban the box” on job applications.
Kathryn Wildman of Virgin said: “Rather than ask people to tick a box, we’ll have a conversation at interview stage.” BY PAUL RODGERS BARGAIN hunters took part in a Black Friday-style rush at a charity shop yesterday as they scrambled to get hold of designer goods being sold at knockdown prices.
Shoppers queued outside Shelter Scotland in Edinburgh’s upmarket Stockbridge area for the chance to grab a pair of designer Christian Louboutin shoes for £50 and cashmere knitwear for a tenner.
Thousands of pounds were raised in the 16th annual event at the shop after doors were opened at 10am.
Thrifty shoppers grasped the opportunity to land some high-end bargains on designer items and collectibles.
The sale included items from brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith, Christian Louboutin, Amanda Wakeley and Tommy Hilfiger.
A Tory Burch leather jacket was on sale for £100, an Ede & Ravenscroft wool coat for £60 and a Victorian silk top hat in its original leather case was £100.
A 1954 first edition of The Two Towers, the second volume of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series, was for sale at £500.
Other collectibles included dozens of boxed Fleischmann miniature gauge railway trains and carriages, a brass Buddha head and a pink 60s phone.
There was also an antique brass microscope by Reichert for £80 and original art and prints from £6.
Assistant shop manager Brenda Myles said: “It’s been manic but well-behaved – we’ve taken around £4000 in the first two hours.
“People were queuing down the street from early this morning and many have now gone home happy with some fantastic bargains.”
Manager Pete Jew said: “This is an exciting shopping experience unlike any other.”
All funds raised from the sale go towards Shelter Scotland’s work to help tackle homelessness and badly housed households across Scotland.