Charity Shop Sees Dramatic Increase in Takings After Moving Outdoors
Takings have significantly increased for a charity shop in Cheshire since volunteers began selling items outdoors one day a week.
Audlem Charity Shop, located on Shropshire Street in the centre of Audlem, previously operated Monday to Saturday and typically took a few hundred pounds weekly.
After reducing trading to Saturdays and displaying many donated goods on outdoor stalls, the shop now takes between £1,200 and £1,500 a day. On days when village events occur, takings can exceed £2,000, according to volunteers.
"I think the attraction is we are like a cross between a giant boot fair and a market stall, and people love it,"
said vice chair Sheila Julian, one of approximately 35 volunteers involved in running the shop.
Proceeds from sales support local health-related charities, with St Luke's Hospice Cheshire being the largest beneficiary.
Chair Helen Beardshall explained that the shop used to be fortunate to take £400 per week.
The transformation began a few years ago during the Covid pandemic when market stalls were permitted to resume trading.
Julian proposed the idea of selling items outside to another volunteer, which led to the current setup.
As the outdoor sales grew, the increase in takings was substantial, she noted. Customers enjoy rummaging through items, finding bargains, and are attracted by the stock visible as they drive past.
Only very poor weather conditions deter trading, with slightly reduced opening hours during winter months.
"On two occasions last year we took over £2,000 on one day, which is just incredible,"
said Beardshall, adding that the shop also benefits the village by attracting customers from far and wide.
Some items are sold online, and volunteers also take stock to auction.
"We have some fabulous donations," Julian said, adding that due to the quality of these items, the shop can price them well and thus generate significant revenue.
The volunteer team takes great pride in their work, Julian added, and hearing from the charities about how the funds help people motivates them to continue their efforts.
For more stories from Cheshire, visit the BBC and follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on , Facebook, X, and Instagram.
