Demand for pre-loved school uniforms increasing

Rummage Rescuers has seen increase in demand for school uniforms ahead of the start of the new term next month

A community shop says more parents are buying second-hand school uniforms than ever before as they struggle with cost of living pressures.

Rummage Rescuers on Canterbury Street in Blackburn, Lancashire, has seen increase in demand ahead of the start of the new term next month.

Volunteer co-ordinator Jo Barker-Gosling said uniforms were largely free of charge and items such as blazers and PE kits were especially in demand.

"It's a massive expense to kit your children out in a full school uniform," she said.

'So grateful'

"People are very generous with their donations, we are very lucky, the community are amazing and supportive," she said. "We've got a good selection of school uniforms, both primary and secondary.

"There is a big demand for school uniforms and the pressure is on for families with the cost of living."

In 2023, a UK-wide report from The Children's Society found parents were spending about £422 a year on secondary school uniforms and £287 on primary school uniforms.

Established in 2015, Rummage Rescuers is a community interest company and does not operate for profit.

Volunteer Grace said "people are just so grateful" because brand new uniforms are "just so expensive in the shops".

"It's helpful for those who haven't got older children at school so they have to start from scratch as they don't have hand-me-downs," she said.

"We will help whoever we need whenever we can, we're definitely getting more people coming in for uniforms."