Charity shops see drop in donations

Published on Thursday 23 October 2008 10:01

CHARITY shops in the Capital are feeling the effects of the credit crunch as donations dry up.

Shop managers said they were seeing fewer donations as people held on to possessions in preparation for tougher times ahead.

Despite enjoying strong trade they are worried about supplies of stock running out by the new year and being left with little to sell.

Eleanor Scott, manager of Barnardo's on Crighton Place, Leith, said it was time to make a desperate plea for help.

She said: "It's getting towards panic stations now and we need to look at this – it's only going to get worse, not improve."

Many charity shops across the Capital have noticed an increase in trade as shoppers hunt for specific items during the tough economic climate.

Instead of browsing aimlessly, they are heading to second-hand shops with key items in mind – sales of winter jackets, boots and handbags have rocketed, putting a strain on stock. Babies' prams and cots are also selling fast.

Alison Sheppard, manager of Barnardo's on Gorgie Road, said: "I have sold more coats in the last few weeks than I have ever sold before and we are not technically even in winter yet. Cots and prams are going quickly, as well as handbags and boots – we simply cannot keep up with demand for them."

Concerns are mounting as the Capital's property market continues to struggle, with managers worried that with fewer people moving house, less stock will be handed over to their shops.

A spokesman for Cancer Research on Portobello High Street said more donations were made when the market was strong, as people cleared homes in preparation for a move. She said donations had noticeably reduced at her shop.

Ms Sheppard reinforced this further, revealing that donations of furniture – particularly quality items – to her shop were reaching unprecedented lows.

She said: "My biggest concern is for the first few months of 2009 as I suspect people will buy more furniture over Christmas, due to seasonal offers, and although we will get donations of their older items, after that it could be tough.

A charity event organised by the Bethany Shop was cancelled this summer as there were not enough donations to sell without wiping shops entirely of stock.

Regional manger Lilias Currie, based at Morningside Road, said: "Footfall is not bad at the moment, but part of the problem is that people come looking for good items to buy and they need to be in the shop."