The best charity shop finds for less than £20 in Bishop’s Stortford town centre this Christmas

Charity shops attract people of all ages to get the best deals on hard-to-find vintage items, writes Kate Peacock.

Such timeless pieces dominate resell sites like Vinted and Depop, often at extortionate costs. But in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford, one-off finds are available at absurdly cheap prices, providing a low-cost alternative to what can be found online.

The town centre is home to nine charity shops, each providing a selection of well-kept clothes, shoes and bags from brands we know and love. From reliable outlets like Crew Clothing, Joules and Zara to the more luxurious likes of Boss and Barbour, and even selections of well-preserved hiking and running gear, charity shops provide a wide array of items for shoppers.

These fabulous offerings have drawn in new crowds over the years as younger generations use charity shops to source cheap, but good-quality clothes they can’t get elsewhere.

Previously, charity shops were seen as unpopular places to visit and their stock being embarrassing things to wear. Staff across many of Stortford’s stores said their children would urge them to keep quiet about where they worked to avoid any shame.

But as the cost of living has risen so dramatically, more and more people have been drawn to charity shops and leave pleasantly surprised thanks to the treasures found within.

Pam Gurton, deputy manager of Oxfam’s South Street store, says the negativity associated with shopping in charity shops has gone. She feels that because so many young people today care about recycling and bettering the planet, they are much more inclined to use a charity shop than to purchase from fast-fashion retailers.

This sentiment is echoed by Janie Logan, a regional store manager for Isabel Hospice, which has shops in South Street and Bridge Street.

She’s seen many more 20-something customers over the years and notes that the Christmas period is particularly busy, with people using the stores as a source for good-quality gifts.

This trend, known on social media as ‘Thriftmas’, has popularised not only what great finds lie within charity shops, but also how much fun searching for a present can be.

Also popular at this time of year is the Charity Shop Secret Santa, where gift givers must source their presents from charity shops. This brings in a great number of shoppers, enticed by the novel items they can find at a fraction of the cost in typical high street stores.

Kandi Burnett, manager at the St Clare Hospice shop in South Street, says gifting from a charity shop makes it more fun as “people pick out things that are quirkier” and that shoppers often “come in killing themselves laughing over things they find”.

She says making the store enticing takes a lot of effort, but the team have dedicated time to attracting a wider demographic over the years. She feels this has brought in many more young people, and even some influencers, who help to spread their message.

Although Christmas is just around the corner, there’s still time to explore the high street’s charity shops and find some great gifts for loved ones - or even yourself!

MY BEST FINDS IN STORTFORD CHARITY SHOPS - ALL UNDER £20

St Clare Hospice’s South Street store houses a lovely assortment of colourful winter staples, like jackets, jumpers and cardigans, as well as many stylish women’s boots. A standout piece would be the pink and white polka dot Cath Kidston bag for only £10. The shop has some items currently on sale.

Ecco, in South Street, hosts a wealth of great brands, including a chic Hobbs jacket and cool Gant jumper. Be sure to check out its array of vinyl if you want to grab some great hits of the past (or even something to put on display and make you look cooler).

The Salvation Army, in South Street, is the place to go for outerwear, particularly if you’re interested in a slick leather jacket or a more casual waterproof quarter zip.

Isabel Hospice’s South Street shop is home to a beautiful collection of winter staples from familiar brands like Fat Face and Monsoon. From a casual cardigan to a glitzy Christmas top, everything in here is exceptionally well preserved.

Oxfam’s South Street shop keeps many hidden gems, like one argyle Barbour jumper found in the men’s section. But the store also sells its ‘Sourced by Oxfam’ products, including hand-knitted items by women across Asia, helping them to earn their own income and fund their independence.

The British Heart Foundation store, in Potter Street, has several cosy knits in a vast range of colours, perfect for this time of year. The shop is also selling surprise reads - gift-wrapped books of a certain genre that you could gift to a friend or even yourself.

St Clare Hospice’s Music and Book Shop, in Devoils Lane, sells great vintage book collections, like the Dickens classics, as well as pop culture staples like the Peep Show DVD box set.

Scope, also in Devoils Lane, has some great sportswear by brands like Nike, Adidas and Karrimor, all in great condition and under £10.

Finally, Isabel Hospice’s Bridge Street store is the place to go for a last-minute Christmas jumper purchase, which beautifully adorn its shop window. The shop also has a delightful range of china and crockery.

Each shop has its own collection of Christmas gifts too, including baubles, crackers and festive ornaments that are made new.

Kate Peacock, 24, is doing work experience at the Indie. The Sawbridgeworth resident, who went to Leventhorpe School before attending The Bishop’s Stortford High School for sixth form, is studying for a masters degree in international journalism at City, University of London.