News November 28, 2025
The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards on tour
The Charity Retail Association teams tour of the UK presenting the area winners with their awards.
Chester-le-Street, North East
Robin concluded the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards tour on 27 November with a visit to North East winner, RSPCA Sunderland, Hartlepool & South Tyneside. Robin joined Co-Manager Allison West, shop staff and volunteers to celebrate their win. Allison said:
"As a small local charity with just one shop, this recognition means the world to us, our volunteers, and our community. It not only celebrates the work happening on our shop floor but shines a light on how vital charity retail is to our mission.”
North East area winner
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Friday 21 November saw Robin fly from the North West of England to Northern Ireland to visit the second Save the Children shop to scoop an award. Robin and the team at the Belmont Road shop in Belfast were joined by Ian Matthews, Director of Retail and Communities at Save the Children.
At the nominations stage, the shop was praised by customers for their diverse stock and their links with the community. One customer said:
“Shop has a great selection of products both for children and adults. The funds raised from sales are used to help children in need in many countries around the world. Shop also runs free school uniform exchange which helps many local families with children.”
Stockport, North West
Robin continued his tour on 21 November with a visit to the Moya Cole Hospice shop in Romiley, Stockport. In an article in Stockport Nub News, Area Manager Lisa Berry shared what winning the award has meant to the team and praised the shop’s manager. She said:
"We couldn't be prouder of Esme Evans, who has dedicated 18 years to building not just a shop, but a true community hub. Her leadership, passion and persistence have created a team that can hold its own against any charity shop in the country – and now we have the title to prove it.”
North West area winner
Edinburgh, Scotland
Robin travelled to Scotland on 20 November to meet the team at the Save the Children shop on Nicolson Street. The shop’s staff and volunteers were joined by Kate Bishop, Director of Retail Brand and Strategy.
When nominating the shop, customers talked about how welcoming the staff and volunteers are, and how it’s a great place to stay connected. One customer said:
“The staff and volunteers are welcoming and friendly, and I love the good tips and lovely conversations at the cash desk. The atmosphere is positive, and it's a great place to shop, donate, and connect with the community.”
Scotland area winner
Swansea, Wales
CRA Chair of the Board Emma Peake visited the Wales Air Ambulance shop in Swansea on 17 November to present the team with their award. The shop is the only one to have been crowned area winner two years in a row. Rob Coles, Wales Air Ambulance’s Head of Retail and Community, said:
“We are delighted to have once again been crowned the favourite charity shop in Wales. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and staff. It is a testament to their commitment to provide a great service to the people visiting the store, daily. The Cwmdu volunteers and staff should all be extremely proud to receive this award once again.”
Wales area winner
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.”
South West area winner
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
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
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
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
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
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.
South East area winner
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