I recently moved to the UK from the Netherlands and I have been on the lookout for thrift stores that have a wide variety of items, such as cutlery, plates, pans, cups, screwdrivers (and other tools), bikes, computer hardware, gaming stuff, books, vinyl records, jewelry, etc. In the Netherlands, I was used to finding these types of stores all over the place. I liked shopping around there because of the gems that you could find and especially the great prices.
Since I’ve moved to the UK on a low budget and because I’m staying for a limited time, I’ve been looking for these kinds of stores to buy second hand tools and kitchen stuff. However, in the UK, specifically in and around Norwich, all I could find were thrift stores that specialised in clothing, furniture, or books. I have searched high and low but have had no luck finding the type of thrift store I’m looking for.
Do these ‘multipurpose’ thrift stores exist in the UK? If so, does anyone have any recommendations for such stores? I would greatly appreciate any information you could provide.
Thank you!
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Thrift shop is a term I know only from American TV and the like, second hand stores here (other than maybe for books) are generally run by charities, and can have quite a random selection of things int hem depending on what is donated but other than a few that specialise in one thing or another, what they have is based on what is donated and what they have room for.
“Thrift stores” aren’t a thing here. “Charity shops ” will help you google such shops in your area that provide some of what you’re looking for. “Secondhand shops” is also a good term to use, but the results vary a lot.
Kitchen stuff is pretty easy to get hold of in most charity shops, assuming you mean pots, pans and cutlery. Tools, not so much – I’m not sure I’ve ever seen any in any charity shop, TBH. If it’s for a temporary project, it would be worth checking if there are any tool libraries near you – I bet there are some in Norwich.
There aren’t any secondhand shops that sell literally everything. It does sound like a good idea in many ways, and I absolutely loved the secondhand shops in Haarlem last time I was there. I’m not sure why we don’t do it, but we don’t.
I’m the UK the rough equivalent is charity shops. Often those in town centres focus on clothes, books and small items.
Of you can find a larger store there’s more chance of finding a variety in there, cities sometimes have them out of town in commercial parks. Lots of charity shops also have eBay stores that might be worth a look. Google maps for charity shops in your area might be a good place to start.
Charity shops usually have a fair amount of crockery and odd kitchen items, but basically tools and second hand kitchen stuff doesn’t sell. Look on free sites like Freegle and Olio, or selling sites like Gumtree and local Facebook groups.
Poundland and B&M type stores will meet a lot if those requirements (except bikes, vinyls and jewellery).
Look for Emmaus charity department stores. They have everything.
BHF furniture stores
Large Barnados stores
Also look at websites like Freecycle, Freegle for free things people are giving away
They are out there, but they are hard to find these days. Look for independent charity shops i.e not Sue Ryder, BHF, Oxfam, cancer research etc. since the big chains have strict rules about what they can or can’t sell.
My favourite one was called the Autistic Shop and was like Aladdin’s cave inside, stacked to the rafters with little walkways in between groaning bookshelves, ancient display cabinets filled with obscure trinkets from ages past and stacks of every sort of homeware you can imagine. There wasn’t a bare bit of wall in the whole place, even the ceilings were hung with hats, scarfs, sports equipment and old bikes. Sadly it has recently closed down but they used to have everything you could think of… if you could find it!
They’re charity shops over here
There’s a few charity shops/second hand shops in Norwich – your best bet in the city centre is probably around Magdalen Street I would think. Possibly not on the scale or variety you are talking about but as good as I can think of
Action is like a B&M
This is a Variety shop
Sadly people just tend to buy cheap stuff from ikea, b&m and the like and then chuck it when they no longer need it.
Secondhand stores / house clearance stores.
You will probably have more luck for tools and the like at ‘boot sales’. They often don’t start until spring though.
https://www.arminghallcarboot.co.uk
In Bristol our local recycling centers have opened up their own second hand shops. Huge range of stuff, lots of it is probably just junk but I bet some good bargains too.
Takes a bit of planning, but a car boot sale is also a good place to pick up random used crap