News November 6, 2025

The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards on tour

The Charity Retail Association team has started their tour of the UK to present the area winners with their awards.

We’ll be sharing their journey here as they travel to Edinburgh, London, Belfast, Plymouth, and many places in between. You can also keep up to date with the celebrations on our LinkedIn and Instagram pages.

Plymouth, South West

Robin Osterley headed to Plymouth on Friday 14 November to present the Hugs Children’s Charity shop team with their award. Retail Development Manager Ryan Jackson joined in the celebrations. Ryan said:

“This recognition is a testament in these testing times for charities to the hard work, knowledge and skill base across the whole team but mostly the passion and pride of our team and supporters.”

Walthamstow, London

Robin Osterley and Hannah Weet continued their tour on Monday 3 November, when they visited the Salvation Army's Sally in the Stow shop. Stella Creasy, the Labour and Cooperative candidate for Walthamstow, joined in the celebrations, along with staff, volunteers and Church leader at Walthamstow Salvation Army, Julie Pell.

Julie said:

“We are over the moon to win this award and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us. We have a wonderful team here who have worked tirelessly to make the shop what it is today. Our ‘Sally in the Stow’ is more than a shop, as part of Walthamstow Salvation Army it’s also a friendly and safe space that enables us to support many local people.”

London area winner

Julie, Robin Osterley and Stella Creasey MP

Harpenden, East of England

On Saturday 1 November, Charity Retail Association Chief Executive Robin Osterley headed to Harpenden to celebrate with staff and volunteers at the Cancer Research UK Boutique. The team is delighted to be crowned winner in the East of England. In a BBC article, Jo Mewett, head of retail operations for Cancer Research UK, said:

"We are delighted our Harpenden store is the nation's favourite charity shop in the East of England, and that's predominantly down to our wonderful staff, volunteers, and of course, our shoppers."

East of England area winner

Shop team outside charity shop with award

Barnsley, Yorkshire and the Humber

On 31 October, Deputy Chair of the Charity Retail Association Board, David Longmore, joined in the celebrations at the Barnsley Hospice Shop in Barnsley. Martine Tune, CEO and chief nurse of the hospice, told the BBC:

"This is really testament to the hard work undertaken by everybody involved in making our hub the success that it is. Our dedicated volunteers and passionate staff always strive for excellence and they have rightfully been recognised for their commitment and hard work.”

Yorkshire and the Humber area winner

Award presentation taking place in office

Knowle, West Midlands

Deputy Chair of the Charity Retail Association Board, David Longmore, visited the Marie Curie shop in Knowle on 30 October to present the team with their award. Talking about winning their win in the Solihull Observer, Retail Manager Rowan Saunders said:

“It’s an honour to be named the West Midlands favourite charity shop and I’m so proud of our wonderful team of volunteers for their ongoing commitment, passion and hard work. We’d like to thank everyone for their votes and continued support – it’s so appreciated.”

West Midlands area winner

Charity shop team celebrate award outside shop

Charity shop team celebrate award win outside shop

Award presentation taking place outside charity shop

Shop manager cutting cake in shop celebrations

West Glossop, East Midlands

Emma Peake, Chair of the Board at the Charity Retail Association, celebrated with the team at Willow Wood Hospice in West Glossop on 30 October. Emma presented the award to the team and spoke with the dedicated staff and volunteers behind the shop’s success.

Caroline Lillis, manager of the Hospice’s Glossop shop, said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have been named East Midlands winner – it means so much to our whole team. Every day, our volunteers bring warmth and passion to what they do, and our customers are like family to us. This award is for the community of Glossop who support us so loyally – we couldn’t do it without them.”

East Midlands area winner

Charity retail team holding award posing behind till

Haddenham, South East

Charity Retail Association Chief Executive Robin Osterley and Communications and Social Media Officer Hannah Weet visited the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity team in Haddenham on 22 October.

Robin presented Shop Manager Jill Buttery with the award and met with 35 of the shop’s incredible 84 volunteers! The charity’s Chief Executive, Jo Turner, and Chair of Trustees, Noel Ratcliffe, also joined the celebration, alongside other senior charity staff and the rest of the shop team.