Emmaus Mossley up for UK's best charity shop prize

Volunteers at Emmaus Mossley are celebrating after the homelessness charity’s Secondhand Superstore was shortlisted for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Award.

Launched to coincide with the Charity Retail Association’s 25th anniversary, the awards aim to showcase the very best the sector has to offer.  

Almost 6,500 charity shops received nominations, with just six from each region going onto the area finals. Emmaus Mossley is up against: 

• Age UK Blackburn with Darwen, Darwen 

• Bay Search and Rescue, Milnthorpe 

• Bolton Hospice, Bolton 

• RSPCA Manchester and Salford, Northern Quarter 

• The Children’s Society, Westhoughton 

As well as the usual charity shop staples such as clothing, books and toys, Emmaus Mossley also has large sections for second-hand furniture and handmade or upcycled goods. There is also Lucie’s Cafe, a difference that the shop’s Retail Manager, Hazel Hodgkinson, says helps it stand out. 

“The Emmaus Mossley Secondhand Superstore is so much more than a traditional charity shop. We’re always keen to improve and evolve the store, ensuring it’s a welcoming and exciting place to visit with different events happening throughout the year. 

“It’s a big team effort to run and maintain our Secondhand Superstore and we’re extremely proud and very grateful to receive this national recognition. 

“Thank you to everyone who nominated us for The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Award and please vote for us in the second round to help us become the North West winner and be in with a chance of winning the overall prize.” 

All money raised in the shop goes towards running the charity’s 26-bedroom community at Longlands Mill in the town, which supports people transitioning away from homelessness. This help includes paying for food, bills, personalised training and finding work, and is one of 29 Emmaus organisations across the UK. 

The charity has supported hundreds of people in Tameside since opening in 1997, and you can vote for Emmaus Mossley in the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Award at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7977798/The-UK-s-Favourite-Charity-Shop-Award-2024-voting 

Regional voting is open until midnight on Monday September 23, with the overall champion named in November.