Charity Shops in Headington
British Heart Foundation
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Oxfam
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Cancer Research UK (North)
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Sobell House Hospice
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Marie Curie Cancer Care
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Clic Sargent
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Cancer Research UK (South)
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Season’s bleatings Editorial, Oxford Mail, 28 December 2002 See the Charity Shop Debate |
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The Cheeky Guide to Oxford recommends coming to Headington for an afternoon’s charity shop crawl. Headington currently has seven charity shops in the centre, all situated in the primary shopping zone, which runs from Lime Walk to Holyoake Road on the south side of the London Road and Osler Road to Bury Knowle Park on the north. They are all classified as A1 retail shops.
The Oxford Mail of 28 December 2002 reported that sales in Headington shops in the run-up to Christmas were poor, and that traders blamed the charity shops as well as the poor parking. The charity shops themselves believe that they actually attract shoppers to Headington, and that in any case boarded-up premises would be the only alternative.
Back in July 2002, the Oxford Mail stated that shoppers were flocking to these Headington charity shops, which jointly take about £530,000 a year. But this £75,000 turnover per shop would probably disappear if they had to pay for all their stock, provide wages for their staff, and pay full rent and rates. Commercial shops cannot compete: the Oxford Computer Company and Headington Beds both went bankrupt in 2002.

"Businesses suffer in 'charity shop capital'"
Oxford Mail, 30 July 2001
"Charity shop row rumbles on"
Oxford Mail, 6 August 2001
"Traders hit by 'Charity Alley' "
Oxford Mail, 27 May 2002
"Shoppers flock to charity shops"
Oxford Mail, 22 July 2002







