Charity shops report rising Christmas demand in cost of giving crisis

Back in Sheffield, the paint has just finished drying on the St Luke’s Hospice charity department store.

The new outlet, which raises money to help care for terminally ill adults, is the organisation’s biggest.

Jennie Booth stands in the 7,000sq ft stock room and says new sites like this shake off the image of charity shops having “little old ladies doing their knitting behind the counter”.

“We get phenomenal donations,” she tells me.

“Most of our Christmas stock comes in January when people realise they have more presents than they need; designer items, shoes and hand bags.”

Jennie says the charity needs £14m a year to run – and they have to raise £10m of that themselves.

“We have to be smart and have a commercial business head on,” she states.

She says charity shopping is popular with many now and consumers are increasingly looking to do something worthwhile with their unwanted items.

In the shop Denise Berham, 63, is looking for Christmas gifts.

She’s been a committed charity shopper for years – finding a Louis Vuitton handbag and purse in one more than a decade ago.

Today, her sights are set on slightly less luxurious items.

“I love to get old books, retro games that you can’t find.

“Mousetrap is the one I want – I’d be happy if I found that.”