Charity shops go from strength to strength

This week saw the milestone third birthday of our flagship charity shop at the popular Cotham Hill location in Bristol. Since then we've added another two shops to Brandon's retail arm; one on Gloucester Road and the other on Whiteladies Road. They are stylish and chic with a boutique feel - something customers regularly comment on.

The shops also enable us to connect customers with our social enterprises. They're a hub for showcasing and selling the products created at our various projects. Shoppers can buy a range of unique wares including ceramic bunting and coasters, jams and chutneys, and greetings cards, all of which are beautifully handmade by people with learning disabilities and autism.

Shops manager Lou said: "I'm so proud of each and every person that has contributed to the success of all three of our shops but especially to all the staff, volunteers, customers, and donors at our Cotham Hill shop, who have been so generous, kind, and inspiring since we opened three years ago!

"I feel very lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful team of people, and every compliment we receive about the shop, from the way we dress the mannequins to the choice of music we play, have made all the hard work worth it."

Fundraising assistant Lilka, joined the team in April 2018. "I come in one day a week, to help the shops with their administration, including GDPR and the launch of our eBay store. It's been a real eye-opener for me. I've gone from being purely office-based, to being involved on a practical level. The team is so warm and hardworking; they are a pleasure to work with and we've already achieved a lot together."

If you haven't yet visited any of the shops, you're in for a treat. You can find more information on our charity shops page and don't forget, if distance is stopping you from visiting, the Brandon eBay store is ready to browse.