St Oswald’s goes for new charity shop look to welcome back customers
ST Oswald’s Hospice has transformed two of its charity shops into ‘reuse hubs’ during lockdown in readiness for today’s reopening.
Using materials that would otherwise have ended up in landfill, the hospice team have completely redesigned two of their 25 stores into second-hand and vintage boutiques.
The new design aims change the perception of charity shops and bring customers a better shopping experience.
The charity’s Heaton shop on Chillingham Road and Dunston premises on Ellison Road have had a makeover on a budget of less than £200 per store, as well as support from businesses and communities.
The Heaton shop will become a ‘reuse fashion hub’, showcasing some of the best and quirkiest fashion items donated to the North East charity.
And the Dunston shop will reopen as a dedicated DIY and homeware store, selling furniture, haberdashery, restyled products and crafting materials.
Using donated and upcycled materials such as paints, wood, ladders and pallets, the small shop team created new wall hangings, shop furniture, decorative features and new till points.
In Dunston, the new features also include shed-inspired displays and a workshop table where the team will host creative upcycling workshops. In Heaton, the shop has a more spacious feel, with room for elaborate window displays and bespoke shelving to better showcase the outfits on sale, giving the store a boutique feel.
St Oswald’s hopes the new-look shops will draw in customers from across the region and both stores have a range of new volunteering roles available.
Each store will be looking for people with interests in photography and social media to help promote the product ranges online, as well as workshop assistant roles for those interested in arts and crafts.
Andrew Moir, head of retail at St Oswald’s, said: “St Oswald’s is really proud of the fact we have such a diverse range of charity shops.
“Our retail team has worked incredibly hard throughout the lockdowns with the aim of transforming the experience our customers have and changing the perception many have of charity shops.
“We’re keen to showcase the very best products our supporters kindly donate to us, and our new shop designs, particularly in Heaton and Dunston, reflect what shopping at St Oswald’s is all about - recycling, reusing and reloving.
“Giving an item a second lease of life and saving it from landfill helps the environment.
“We keep costs as low as we can so our customers can bag some bargains, and all the money we raise supports the work we do.”
Most of the St Oswald’s charity shops will reopen from 9am today.
For details of your nearest St Oswald’s shop, head to its website, www.stoswaldsuk.org.