Romford shop selling second-hand school uniforms for only £5

An east London charity shop where parents can pick up school uniforms for £5 is helping with the rising cost of living, users have said.

This is the eighth year that S.M.I.L.E. London & Essex, which “provides support to families facing poverty, homelessness, and hardship”, runs the swap shop for uniforms from its premises in Romford.

Parent Sandra Koli, on a visit to the shop, told BBC London: “It helps me not to be anxious, because the price is really affordable so I don’t have to worry too much.

“This is the right time for it, because by the end of August it will be really crowded and much more expensive – so I can relax and enjoy my summer until the school starts.”

Maria Quaife, from S.M.I.L.E. London and Essex, told BBC London: “We’ve got 1,000 items of school uniform – branded and generic uniform – (from) across Havering, Barking and Dagenham.

“Families can come in, donate items that don’t fit their kids any more and grab as much new uniform as their family needs for only £5.

“We tend to get about 500 children coming through our doors each year and it’s been getting more and more every year unfortunately because of the cost of living.

“But a new school uniform can cost around £300-400 per child. We’re saving families locally thousands of pounds.”

The shop also stocks a selection of shoes and football boots at a reduced price.