Charity shopping tours hit Gloucester Road

Tours of Gloucester Road, led by a personal shopper and run by Bristol’s Independent District (BID), are encouraging eco-friendly fashionistas to hunt for charity shop bargains during a unique shopping experience that supports charity and promotes the local independent businesses.

As part of the Gloucester Road Business Improvement District, BID manager Anne-Louise Perez proposed the tours to encourage more people into Bristol’s thriving and creative independent areas. “Gloucester Road is nationally recognised for its buzzing independent personality with hundreds of indie shops, restaurants and more,” says Anne-Louise. “When you are visiting a new place, who doesn’t want to see the authentic parts of  town?

“I wanted to celebrate Gloucester Road’s indie spirit and style, bring footfall, support the abundant charity shops we have in the area and promote sustainability. With consumers becoming more and more eco-aware, and making choices based on that information, a shopping tour of charity shops seemed like a perfect fit. I also think people are thinking more about their retail choices and looking to independent shops for their fashion hunting. Celebrating uniqueness is back on trend and charity shops certainly offer wide selection to express that.”

A charity shop tour with stylist Becky Barnes (right)

Attendees are joined on these fun and fashion-led charity shop tours of the area (which also includes part of Cheltenham Road and Zetland Road) by local fashion stylist Becky Barnes, who is there to advise and inspire, helping you to get the most out of your charity shopping experience.

“When I was asked if I’d like to run the tours I couldn’t say yes quick enough!” stylist Becky says excitedly. “It’s everything I love: an independent, vibrant shopping area, helping people feel more confident with their style, saving the planet and helping charities!”

It does make you wonder whether a charity shop tour along the longest road of independent shops in the UK (and possibly Europe) is doable? “It’s nothing your Jimmy Choo’s can’t handle,” laughs Anne-Louise.

Some of Gloucester Road’s charity shops are making a name for themselves as stylish boutique places to shop

So how have the tours been received so far? Are the shoppers open-minded and looking for unique items or just designer clobber? “The shoppers have been open to anything and everything,” replies Anne-Louise. “Becky has gently taken people out of their comfort zone and there have been many ‘I would never have picked that’ moments!”

Charity shops now seem to filter out many of the charming oddities that you used to be able to find in them for more basic garments that they think will sell better, so is there really a wide range of unique garments on offer? “It is directly linked to the area in which you’re shopping,” says Anne-Louise. “For example, the Gloucester Road charity shops are full of the more unusual and quirky pieces whereas the charity shops in locations such as Clifton tend to choose the more classic items – so chose your patch wisely!”

Loaded up with pre-loved gems on the BID Charity Shopping Tours

Pre-loved and vintage online shopping is now more popular than ever with the likes of Depop and Asos killing it in the pre-loved stakes. Even online charity shops are finding it hard to compete and with high street profits on the decline, so what is the future for our charity shops? “Online shopping has its place but there’s nothing like physically rooting through the rails, touching the fabrics and trying garments on there and then. I hope that charity shops remain popular as there are so many benefits to them,” says Anne-Louise.

With slow and sustainable fashion brands, jumble sales and fashion salvage events on the rise, and as we learn to embrace pre-loved garments and the make-do-and-mend culture returns once again, perhaps our charity shops will continue to be safe from internet consumption for a little while to come.

Helping to fight against fast fashion too, the tours are introducing people to sustainable fashion, with a view to supporting local independents and moving people away from the high street.

“The tour promotes slow fashion as chasing the latest trends becomes more irrelevant,” says Anne-Louise. “Instead, shoppers are encouraged to explore and create their own style and to shop at a pace that is relevant for them. For some people the tour is the first time they have shopped in charity shops but for others it’s a chance to visit them with a personal stylist for company. Other shopping tours are coming soon which include the independents as well, and specialist tours such as vintage fashion, wedding outfits and party wear.”

The Flo-Jo Boutique help charity shoppers to make alterations to their newly purchased items

Independent business Flo-Jo’s Boutique on Gloucester Road are also part of the tour, giving a helping hand and inspiration for upcycling found garments to recreate a unique look. “Flo Jo already provide an alteration and repair service and regularly have charity shop shoppers coming in and asking for adjustments, so their services seemed to naturally compliment the charity shop tours of Gloucester Road,” says Anne-Louise.

“They are great believers in handmade clothing, upcycled garments and slow fashion. They have everything in the shop and workshop including the expertise to transform, repair or make that charity find fit and enjoy the challenge!”

With beautiful designer coats and jackets, brand new boots, quirky jewellery and an amazing colourful silk skirt among the fashion gems already found on the tour so far, imagine what other hidden gems could be waiting amongst the city’s cast-offs. If you never really got the hang of charity shopping but like the idea of it, this is the tour for you. You will learn how to seek out the best fashion bargains to become a true eco-friendly fashionista. “I think anything that encourages fun, individuality and expression is a wonderful thing to celebrate and the Bristol style embraces this,” adds Anne-Louise.

Charity Shop Tours are currently based in the Gloucester Road area. Please contact Bristol’s Independent District if you are interested in holding a tour in your area. The next tour takes place on June 22. Book tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/charity-shopping-tour-with-a-personal-stylist

Read our fashion editor Emma’s blog No Debutante