Stamford charity shop managers encourage shoppers to give them a go

Love them or loathe them, there's certainly no shortage of charity shops to choose from on our high streets, so when news of the latest newcomer was announced, the reaction was mixed.

Woodgreen will open for business in Stamford High Street next Friday (January 13) raising money to support pets in need.

While some Mercury readers said they can't wait to shop there, others fear the town will become "a glorified jumble sale" and "overwhelmed by coffee and charity shops".

So what attracted Woodgreen to a town with seven other charity shops to its name?

Head of retail Jake Hornsbury said: “Stamford is a town of pet lovers with a long-standing connection to Woodgreen, so it’s somewhere we’ve been hoping to open a shop for a long time.

"We’re delighted have finally found the perfect location. Stamford will be our 23rd charity shop in the region, which will be a fantastic start to 2023.

"We’re proud that our growing retail estate is hugely successful and an important source of income to support the charity’s work – rehabilitating and re-homing pets from our centre in Cambridgeshire, and supporting pet owners with any issues they may be facing.

"With a cost of living crisis upon us this winter, it’s never been more important to support charities like Woodgreen – and also for people to be able to purchase high quality, low cost items on their local high street.”

Charity shops receive an 80 per cent discount on their business rates, as dictated by government, so it's no surprise they are more keen to open during tough times than other commercial businesses.

Rutland has seven charity shops - five in Oakham and two in Uppingham - while South Kesteven District Council deals with 40 charitable premises across the area. Thirteen of those are in Bourne, 10 in Stamford and two in Market Deeping.

The charities may receive a discount on their business rates, but they still operate commercially and the teams have ambitious targets to meet.

Sally Stillingfleet is the manager of Cancer Research UK in St Paul's Street, Stamford. She was previously a volunteer at Age UK and has retail experience from working at Attic in the town.

She said: "Charities have become more savvy about pricing and we have guidelines to follow.

"As a company we actively look at current trends and will also sell through online platforms such as Depop, eBay and Vestiaire Collective.

"Ten or 15 years ago it might have been like a jumble sale, but now the shop is more like a boutique."

Sally's shop receives all the charity's vintage stock from across the area, which is particularly popular with younger shoppers.

She believes people's motivation for using charity shops is either financial or a desire to be sustainable, adding: "We get people from all walks of life through the door.

"I think there has been a real shift in shopping habits. In Stamford we're very limited in men's and women's clothing shops so people don't have a lot of choice.

"Where else can you get designer labels at such affordable prices?"

As well as supporting good causes, the shops help to build communities too.

Amanda Gerbino is a regular supporter of the charity shops, naming Cancer Research UK as her favourite. She welcomed the news of Woodgreen coming to town.

She said: "The cancer research shop is always clean and well laid out, and the staff are very good.

"I shop here because it's all recycled and you can get something a bit different. It makes you feel good to know your money is going to a charitable cause. You're helping others and getting something for yourself as a bonus."

Volunteer Peter Robinson helps out at three of the town's charity shops - Mind, Age UK and Cancer Research UK.

For him, it's an opportunity to keep busy and make friends.

He said: "I don't like to stay at home. I meet some lovely people in the shops and always feel welcomed."

Peter is one of 25 volunteers at the Age UK shop in St Paul's Street, where Tracie Mawer is assistant manager. She first joined as a volunteer 13 years ago before taking on a paid role.

Tracie said: "The use of charity shops has definitely grown in that time.

"It used to be mainly people who were struggling with money, but the taboo has gone now and we get all sorts of people. They're either looking for a bargain or like the idea of recycling."

Menswear is particularly popular, with few affordable alternatives in the town, while shoes and accessories also sell well. One of the shop's biggest moneymakers was a pair of Louboutin shoes which sold for £250.

With each charity shop carving out its own niche, Tracie is confident the town can support another business and is looking forward to Woodgreen's opening.

Sally added: "People should be more open-minded about visiting a charity shop - just come and see all the amazing donations that we get."

Donations can be delivered to the new Woodgreen shop, next door to Wilko in Stamford High Street, this week.

The town's other shops also continue to collect donations and welcome anyone who is interested in joining as a volunteer to pop in for a chat.