I've been wanting to write a post about the charity shops in Ipswich for ages. The perfect opportunity to gather photos was on a Saturday when I met up with Sophie and Kezzie for a day of charity shop rummaging.

We visited all the clothing charity shops in the town centre (we skipped the furniture and electrical shops). There are others on the outskirts of the town but these are all within walking distance of each other.

It's a good job Kezzie was with me as she spotted a new charity shop that I'd assumed was a normal shop. It's now my favourite of all the charity shops in town. It's called Zest and is part of St Elizabeth Hospice. It's been excellently fitted out, looking more like a boutique than a charity shop. We were all very impressed, which is why this shop has so many photos.


There's some well selected merchandise among the donated items.


The shop was spacious and well laid out, showing off all the items to their best advantage.


Can you see why we all liked it so much?

Next up we wandered into Cats Protection. This is quite a new one to Ipswich, I happened across this a few weeks ago and found a brand new French Connection dress for just £7.00.

It's not as spacious as Zest but well laid out and has plenty to offer. I think all three of us made a purchase in here.





Cancer Research. I've found some good bits and pieces here over the years, it's always worth a visit.

Next up we found ourselves in Ipswich Outreach, another one that eagle-eyed Kezzie spotted! It seems I walk around the town not really looking because I take it for granted that I know the town well. I wonder when I stopped actually looking around me?

Sadly this one wasn't such a great find. It smelled a little funny. I think this used to be a butchers but I might be wrong. It was small and didn't have much in it, and the window display took away all natural light leaving it feeling a little dingy. It's such a shame as Ipswich Outreach is fundraising for a bus to help the homeless, which will house a kitchen, have seating and WC, along with two rooms to work with partner organisations for those in need of help.

It seems such a shame that a local charity can't compete with larger charities in terms of what they can offer when it comes to the charity shop experience. I'll continue to visit, despite the smell, but I don't hold out much hope of it improving.


Further up the road is Mind. This is one of my favourite charity shops in Ipswich. I've found so many lovely things in here over the years. I often park at this end of town just so that I can visit this shop. On this visit I found a pair of wool trousers from Joules for £3.00 and they're a perfect fit!


I always find this St Elizabeth Hospice shop a little cramped. If you had a pushchair or a wheelchair you wouldn't stand any hope of moving around in here. It's not one I visit regularly especially now there is another, better, St Elizabeth Hospice shop elsewhere in town.


After lunch (this was a whole day affair) we were at the other end of town, where there are lots of charity shops bunched together. All are pretty good, but hhe Samaritans shop is my favourite of these simply for it's bookshop on the lower floor.


I won't tell you how many books Kezzie bought in here, but it was a lot. Not that I have room to talk, the last time we all met up I bought 12 books - some of which I haven't even read yet!


Next up was Sense another one worth a visit. This used to be a shop for a different charity and it's there I purchased my first ever charity shop item - a long cardigan by Tu which I still have and wear.

Cancer Research again. A little on the small side but with loads of stock.


Two more. The Salvation Army and Age Concern. I've found lots of things in The Salvation Army and Age Concern has a good selection of wool for £1.69 a ball (good for pom poms).


The RSPCA is a pretty good one, if a little on the small side.


This is the other St Elizabeth Hospice shop I mentioned. It's much better than the other one we visited. It has more stock, it's laid out better, and although it groups things by colour (which I dislike but understand it looks more inviting from a merchandising point of view) it's brighter and more welcoming.

It was a this point that we went off in search of nourishment, which we found in an little indie cafe Doorsteps, were we found the most excellent chocolate brownies.

We all came away from the day with bags full of pre-loved goodies, I'll share what I purchased in my next Buyer's Archive.