Which places in the UK have a very high density of charity shops?

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

For such an affluent market town, it does have a lot doesn't it! Any idea why? Over zealous local council squeezing other businesses too much on rates?

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I find the best selection of charity shops is always in affluent towns. Godalming, Chichester, Dorking. Guildford is rubbish, though, and Bath isn't great. Tunbridge Wells is quite good. There are some good options along the South Coast - Seaford, Lewes, Shoreham. Salisbury is quite good, too.

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

I've been to Chichester, that was good, but I thought Dorking was pretty awful (not many at all??) but hey, all gratefully received

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chocklityclair@reddit

3 have recently closed in Dorking but there are still seven.

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

I think I was relying on Google maps which didn't show too many and I was in a rush, perhaps I will have to go back, sounds good

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Sean_Campbell@reddit

Lots of affluent people with stuff to pass on?

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RiverTam741@reddit

I'm South Wales based and I have several regular towns for charity shopping - Abergavenny, Bridgend, Newport, Pontypridd, Carmarthen. Swansea has a decent selection for a city as well.

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Obvious-Owl-2088@reddit

Abergavenny is our go to for charity shops, decent amount for a relatively small town centre. Found some absolute bargains there this last year

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

I'm from Swansea, actually, it's pretty good for that. Never been to Abergavenny, Newport or Bridgend for charity shops on your list but all noted. Cheers

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

Henley on Thames!

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

Oh that sounds good, and somewhat surprising. Will have a look sometime

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

https://maps.app.goo.gl/sQ43h95PYwbxaaYu7?g_st=ac Great day out there are at least 4 charity shops on this one road !

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Mental_Body_5496@reddit

Wokingham- all coffee shops and charity shops apparently !

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

Nice, been meaning to get there, will add it to the list👍🏻👍🏻

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jimmywhereareya@reddit

Formby in Merseyside has lots, they're basically propping up the high street along with the many bars and coffee shops

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Djinjja-Ninja@reddit

You'll have to do a *lot* of hunting. Charity shops aren't about charity for the customers, they're about making money for the charity they represent. Most of them these days will be eBaying all of the good stuff themselves. My sister used to be a manager of a charity shop in a fairly nice area, and they used to get all sorts of designer gear donated. The standing instructions were to send it all down to the flagship store on oxford street, or to eBay it directly, it was very rare that any of the really good stuff went back up in the same store.

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

Yeah, it's pretty slim pickings these days, but still the odd gem (and I don't go for clothes as good quality ones below prices elsewhere are like finding a needle in a haystack!)

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chubbagrubb@reddit

We've got a bunch in Eastbourne and next town along - Bexhill - has even more. Some of the Bexhill ones are cash only and close before 4/ aren't open on Sunday though

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

Now you mention it, Hastings looks decent, too, especially right near the seafront. Cheers for the tips

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K0monazmuk@reddit

Do what I did, look on Google maps at every town near to you, and make a spreadsheet, in the days of me reselling books this was the best thing I ever did as I could plan a route for the highest density of shops to maximise my time, also look at things like areas with a high property value as those shops can often throw up valuable finds if you know what you’re looking for…..and it’s not easily found on eBay etc.

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

I guess book selling was a brutal business...

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Muswell Hill in London seems to have an extraordinary amount for a rich bit of London but they are all more boutiquey with equivalent prices.

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Sea-Still5427@reddit

The poorer the town, the more charity, betting and nail shops.

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

Yes, that is generally acknowledged but was looking for places with a high density

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Skate_beard@reddit

Stroud has about 8 or 9, which is nuts for such a small town.

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Pogipete@reddit

You can add Thornbury and Dursley.

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Skate_beard@reddit

Yep 100%, grew up in Thornbury, couldn't get out fast enough 😂

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Pogipete@reddit

I am often drawn to the Gregg's 😂

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DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

Nice, thanks

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pijjp@reddit

Horncastle. Has more charity/antique/junk shops than anywhere else in the uk

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shoshones@reddit

I went to Bognor last year and noticed they had rather a lot.

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No_Promotion_65@reddit

West Bromwich

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kmbus@reddit

Southampton has a lot.

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Hookton@reddit

Whitley Bay is a goldmine. Skipton is very good as well. Both northern, sorry about that.

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Ok_Aioli3897@reddit

https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/content-hub/articles-and-advice/the-uks-thriftiest-cities/

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Which places in the UK have a very high density of charity shops?

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chocklityclair@reddit

DullInflation6@reddit (OP)

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