Each time my li’l mellow yellow VW travels from York back to my hometown of Stockport, there is always one essential location on my must-visit list, and that is Cheadle. Why Cheadle? One word – ‘Barnardo’s’, of course!
Yes, Cheadle High Street is blessed with not one, but two Barnardo’s shops, each brimming with bargainous goodies. Of course, my absolute favourite, being a 60s and 70s obsessive, is ‘Barnardo’s Vintage’ – winner of ‘Specialist Shop of the Year’ last Summer at the Charity Retail Association Awards. Manager Gemma has now been given the well-deserved accolade of being a judge at the 2018 awards (get nominating now! Nominations need to be in by 2nd April), and her lovely shop has been recently featured in Refinery29’s list of the best charity shops in the UK.
My last visit was shortly before Christmas, where the warm lights of the disco-themed, maxi dress adorned window display welcomed me, and the Past Times reproduction vintage gold-tone necklace with Elizabeth I pendant instantly caught my eye (and promptly fell into my bag for an amazing 3 quid.) The next window display will be installed on 2nd February by the supremely talented artist, Kim Thompson (aka @kim_a_tron on Instagram).
Inside, although the shop appeared to be bursting at the seams with a gorgeous array of Winter coats, vintage frame handbags to die for, psychedelic crockery and the piece-de-resistance, a child’s 70’s super rare Bowie t-shirt, Gemma informed me that the shop desperately needs two things – more vintage donations and more volunteers, so if you can help, please do.
My purchases, including these yellow 70’s flares, worn by me recently in a brutalist photoshoot with photographer Dan Urben, diminished the stock even more.
I then pottered along the street, which is, incidentally, charity shop heaven, to the £1.99 Barnardo’s shop, where over the years I have bagged many a frock- some even brand new with tags. This time was no exception – check out the gorgeous novelty 40s/50s model print on this dress…very Dior! The store has a variety of items of clothing, jewellery, shoes and homeware too, with some vintage items sneaking in, such as a Stratton lipstick holder I picked up for 50p.
Today there was also ‘The Maker’s Market’ at the other end of the High Street, which takes place on the first Saturday of every month and is filled with local delicacies and handicrafts. So there you go – an afternoon in Cheadle is definitely worth a visit, and with double the Barnardo’s, what’s not to love?!
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