'Charity shop trail will bring people back to the high street'

Michael Donnelly at the St Leonard's Hospice charity shop in Selby

In some towns, the complaint of "too many charity shops" has become a familiar one among shoppers.

Yet in Selby, the attraction of second-hand goods is being harnessed as part of a plan to regenerate the high street.

The charity Up for Yorkshire has used bid funding awarded by the North Yorkshire mayoral authority to set up a trail that features 14 charity shops in the market town.

Matt Fisher, Up for Yorkshire's community development lead, said: "We see our second-hand shops as a strong starting point for change and an exciting opportunity to create a sustainable and vibrant high street to be enjoyed by everyone."

On the banks of the River Ouse is an outlet run by St Leonard's Hospice, which provides care for sufferers of terminal illnesses in York.

Regular customer Michael Donnelly has found a guitar, vintage jacket, books and CDs on its shelves before. He said he supported the idea of a trail and thought Selby's town centre was "on the up".

"I think anything we can do for the high street is a good idea. Anything that brings a bit more life to the high street.

"Selby is a great place for commuting from York and Leeds and property is quite a bit cheaper here than in those areas, so it's drawing a lot of people in.

"I'm quite hopeful for Selby and its high street."

Shop manager Carol Calvert and volunteer Ruth Walsh at the St Leonard's Hospice charity shop in Selby

Manager Carol Calvert said the people who donate stock were the shop's "lifeblood".

"We sell unusual things and different things. We have some amazing customers that come week after week, day after day, and there's hardly anybody that leaves empty-handed."

Valerie Walton in Selby charity shop Mama Na Mtoto

Close to Selby Abbey is Mama Na Mtoto, a venture set up by midwife Anita Jones. The shop's name translates as "mother and baby" in Swahili, and was inspired by her charity work in Kenya.

Ms Jones has worked with vulnerable mothers, including those who are HIV positive, and the shop's takings go towards projects in both Yorkshire and Africa.

"This shop is the heart of the charity," she said.

"The local people here are very supportive. They can come in, have a good chat, share their problems, get a bargain and hopefully go out feeling good.

"They are helping people less fortunate than themselves."

Browsing the packed shelves was regular visitor Valerie Walton, who said charity shops were "much better than ordinary shops".

"I like ornaments and I have got a lovely milk jug and a lovely necklace. I just like to look and see what comes up.

"I think it's very good. So many people are in charity shops because they're reasonable. When you go in a supermarket you're spending a fortune on one thing."

Sarah Firth is also a regular at Mama Na Mtoto, and said her charity shop trawls had helped her during challenging periods of her life.

"I had postnatal depression when I had my first baby, and without help from the community it's a struggle.

"You think you're on your own. You can come here and talk to somebody and know you're not on your own."

She welcomed the charity shop trail and the mayoral fund, and said high streets were "struggling" a bit.

"Anything else that can be invested to help before it completely disappears is a fantastic thing. Hopefully it will come back a bit more," she added.

Customer Michele Mitchell at Selby charity shop Hands of Hope

Also on the trail is Hands of Hope, a local charity based in Selby which has deep roots in the town. It has raised more than £1m for good causes since it was founded in 2009.

Flicking through the women's clothing rails was Michele Mitchell, who said that Hands of Hope was "the best second-hand shop in Selby".

Part of Up for Yorkshire's campaign is about cutting back on waste by encouraging people to buy from - and donate to - charity shops instead of taking items to the tip.

Ms Mitchell said: "It's good that it can be recycled. I've got a jumper and a jumper dress, not a mark on them, brand new. It's good for the environment."

Mayor David Skaith said that while high streets were "constantly changing," they would always be hubs for the local communities they serve.

"Residents and businesses understand most what is needed in their communities, and I am proud to be backing Up for Yorkshire's plans with my Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund," he added.

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