Do you enjoy shopping second hand in London's charity shops? If you asked me this question a year ago, I would have shaken my head and said: ‘Why would I ever do that? I have everything I need on the high street.’
But fast forward to today, things could not be more different. There's a strong appetite for sustainable clothing that has contributed to the charity shop sector, with an army of online-savvy bargain hunters encouraging everyone to follow the pre-loved route.
I am one of those thrifty shoppers — a "thrifter". Gone are the days when I would splurge £40 on a luxury but unsustainable branded jacket. I do have expensive tastes, but now I will always use charity shops as a lifeline.
So much has the popularity of charity shops soared, that the UK’s first ever charity department store has just opened, in Brent Cross, London. With 10 different charity shops in one room, I thought I'd drop in and take a look at Charity.Super.Mkt during its four-week pop-up.
Brent Cross Shopping Centre is rather huge, so finding the charity shop was tricky for someone who has never visited. I didn’t see any signs or directions, so like a lost tourist I had to ask customer service for help.
When I finally located the charity shop — formerly an Arcadia Topshop/Topman store — my mouth fell open in wonder. The sheer size of the place was unlike anything I’d ever seen before.
My eyes didn’t know where to look. There was so much in front of me I almost felt dizzy, so I had to take a few moments to soak it all in. The fact that everything here is pre-loved warmed my heart. I felt emotional. I felt moved.
After calming myself, it was time to go exploring. I made sure to visit all 10 sections, from TRAID to Cancer Research UK to Marie Curie.
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One thing's for certain — this store, staffed mainly by volunteers, had everything. From second-hand gym wear and trainers to stylish jewellery and vintage bags, this was the best of charity retail all under one roof.
Some hidden gems I picked up included a black blazer from L. K. Bennett for only £14.99, which would normally have a price tag of £300 if bought online.
I also spotted a gorgeous leopard print dress from Ralph Lauren for only £12, and a yellow Polo Ralph Lauren hoodie for only £33. This is thrifting at its finest.
This hasn’t just all happened out of the blue. According to The Telegraph, there are more than 10,000 charity shops in the UK and they’re continuing to grow in number. The surge in second-hand sales has meant that more than £363 million has been raised for deserving causes.
The charity shop movement has been alive and kicking for years, but now it’s become a global phenomenon. Everywhere I go a new charity shop has sprouted up. Buying pre-loved items removes the prospect of some decent gear ending up in landfill — so what are you waiting for?
The idea for the charity department store came from the fashion guru and designer Wayne Hemingway, founder of the Red or Dead brand, and Maria Chenoweth, CEO of TRAID (Textile Reuse and International Development). Their stated aim is to have the store open for several weeks, then move it to Wandsworth before embarking on a national tour. The focus is on fashion and not the other elements you might find in the average high street charity shop, such as books and homeware.
Other charities with departments at the Brent Cross store include: Havens Hospice, Barnardo’s, Shelter, Age UK, Emmaus, SCT and All Aboard.
The charity shop department store is only open until Saturday February 25.
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