My favourite charity store

Have you noticed how charity shops are changing, becoming more slick, effecient, commercially aware even, dare I say corporate.

I first saw evidence of this in England when I noticed that certain shops were buying in goods to sell. Then I met someone who does the valuations of books for charity shops, he told me that some shops have experts who look over all the donations before they go on sale. Items of high value are removed before they are stocked and are sold to specialist shops or go to auction.

Now, I'm all for charity stores making money for good causes but for me this practice spoils the experience of visiting the shops in the first place. When I'm browsing in a charity shop, I have in the back of my mind the hope of finding a bargain amongst the junk. The thought of some expert sorting through the pile first or the knowledge that some of the stock might have been 'bought in' spoils the experience for me.

So I look for charity shops that don't have a corporate feel to them, I avoid printed price tickets and bar codes. I'm not being cheap, I just prefer to shop this way.Fortunately there are plenty of traditional charity shops around. These are usually a little further away from the high street and they support local charities. My favourite local shop is run by one woman and several part time helpers who support an animal sanctuary.

The shop is actually a grand old town house that was once a magnificent home. It has many large rooms, high ceilings with hand painted decorations, stained glass windows and a beautiful wide sweeping staircase. The owners of the house moved out decades ago and over the years the house became run down, then it was vandalised. It wasn't just the house that suffered but the whole street looked miserable. Then it was opened as a charity store and within a few weeks everything looked cheerful.

The layout of the shop is eccentric. Womens clothes next to typewriters, cutlery and crockery between book shelves. Price tickets and labels don't exist, you have to ask. When you do ask for a price, the shop assistant makes lot of sucking air noises as she examines whatever it is she's valuing. It's a priceless retail experience.

Even when the shop is busy it's big enough to feel spacious, there's always an empty room full of interesting stuff.


I have to confess that I've never turned up a great bargain or anything of value from this store but I usually take something home with me, and over the years I've been photographing the shop and its contents.


Sadly this favourite charity store moved to new premises last week. They have a brand new shop in a new building the developers can't give away. It's very positive for the charity, better access, more space and even a toilet. Good luck to them, but I'll sorely miss the old shop.