Sparkly shoes, bags and dresses were everywhere at cheaper prices than on the high street
North West Cancer Research had a boutique feel (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
As we enter the Christmas period, you might be finding that there is an overwhelming amount of shopping to do. On top of finding presents for family and friends, there are Christmas and New Year’s parties to be considered and decorations to buy, not to mention the Christmas food shop.
If you’re finding the prospect daunting, you’re not alone. Christmas shopping can put a strain on our wallets and despite the twinkling lights, traipsing around city centre shops can be tiring.
While some might turn their nose up, second hand shopping can be a great antidote offering cheaper gifts and stopping us spending a fortune on sequin dresses that will get shoved to the back of the wardrobe come January.
With this in mind, I thought it was the perfect time to pay a visit to an area that I’ve been told by many is one of the best in Merseyside for charity shops.
Just a half an hour train ride from the city centre, Formby is not just an ideal location for the beach but is a prime spot for bargain hunters too.
Heading down to Chapel Lane expecting to find a handful, I found far more than I’d expected. On the one street alone I counted nine charity shops, each within a stone’s throw of the last.
Starting in Queenscourt Hospice, I was pleased to be greeted with a sale rack with brands such as Jaeger on sale for £5. What caught my eye the most however was a row entirely filled with party and evening dresses with so many great options for Christmas and New Year’s Eve events with formal gowns plus long and short sequined numbers.
I fell in love with this £10 sequin dress(Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
Just over the road an Animals in Need shop sits right next to an Age UK. While the Animals in Need was fittingly stocked with pet gear plus plenty of warm weather clothing for under £6, Age UK was again awash with party wear including stylish clutch bags, sparkly heels and a stand-out corset style top that would be perfect for any winter do.
It wasn’t just women’s wear that was available in abundance either. Down the road there was a Barnardo’s Men’s – the only one of the charity’s stores stocking exclusively menswear with plenty of shirts, suits and pocket squares for special occasions plus casual wear too. There was also a Barnardo’s shop just for children’s items.
This sparkly top was £5.95 in Age UK (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
My favourite of all the shops was the North West Cancer Research shop which has a boutique style feel. Each rack felt curated and the store layout was much more like a high street shop. Despite its luxury feel the prices were much the same as the street’s other stores and it would make a great place to pick out a last minute party outfit without the rummaging. I found a beautiful Karen Millen dress for £17 and a silver mini skirt for £12.
More great finds included a Levi’s brand new bomber jacket for £49 and sheepskin coats for £25.
Other shops on the street and nearby include Cancer Research, PDSA, St Joseph’s Hospice and Claire’s House.
A £4 sparkly dress in St Joseph’s Hospice(Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO)
With plenty of cafes nearby, this would make a perfect day out for thrift lovers and a great way to beat the crowds for Christmas and New Year’s Eve shopping too.