Charity Shop Love- Hope Direct, Hulme

Susan Earlam

April 29, 2013

Continuing our Charity Shop Love series, our contributor Sharon tells us all about her favourite haunt…

I first came across the Hope Direct charity shop on Chorlton Road, Hulme about 2 years ago and have been keeping this little treasure trove a secret all this time but now, all in the name of charity, it’s time to spread the love.

Open Monday – to Saturday this 13,000sq feet warehouse is packed full of vintage treasures over two floors and is one of the North Wests biggest charity shops. Hope has a mission to increase the opportunities & transform the lives of vulnerable children in Sierra Leone and Cameroon. With a goal to build 5 orphanages they need all the support they can get, the last 12 months have seen great progress with the purchase of 7 acres of land and the first orphanage has now been built. Add to this they are doing a sterling job of re-cycling the North Wests unwanted household furniture!

You are guaranteed a warm welcome by the staff & volunteers who make this a great charity shop experience. Of late charity shop prices have increased and whilst we all understand why – all concerned just want to raise as much money as possible for the given charity, the prices at Hope are really good and you can walk away feeling like you have a real bargain which in my case only results in me going back and buying more!

The ground floor is packed with glassware, china, books, toys and clothes (and some of the heavier furniture). The selection of cut glassware was sparkling with many pieces only £2 and this glass decanter which is sat in a silver plated base is really beautiful and a real bargain at £6 – would make a great gift filled with bubble bath or bath salts.

These very pretty dark red glasses were an absolute bargain at £4 and I’m kicking myself now for not buying them.

Upstairs has 4 rooms packed with tables, chairs, sideboards and a whole room dedicated to sofas and armchairs.
Spotted this great teak sideboard, with a little love this could make a beautiful retro statement in any home. Would look great cleaned up, painted or even decorated with wallpapered panels.

This lovely china cabinet, complete with clock was an absolute bargain at £20!

With a room full of every type of chair imaginable this set of four mis-matched dining rooms chairs really stood out. At £4 each they had to be the bargain of the day – all they needed was a clean and some new fabric to cover the seat pads.

Solid oak dressing table in really good condition with no chips or cracks to the mirror for the unbelievable price of £48

I didn’t leave empty handed, just as I was about to go the van turned up with new stock and I found this gorgeous chair for £15! It would have been rude not to. My new chair fitted easily into my car but don’t fear if you don’t have your own transport, Hope deliver to your door at very reasonable prices.