Bargain hunters flock to Edinburgh charity shop’s ‘legendary’ January sale

The Shelter Scotland event has been running at the Stockbridge store for more than two decades.

Customers queued up for the sale at the Shelter Scotland shop in Stockbridge (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

A signed, first edition Harry Potter book and designer clothes are among the items sold in a charity shop’s “almost legendary” January sale.

Shoppers queued up outside the Shelter Scotland store in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, from 7am on Wednesday for the event, which has been running since 2003.

Designer brands on offer included Armani, Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Ralph Lauren, while homeware enthusiasts browsed vintage coffee sets, tea sets, and Portmeirion chinaware.

Books on sale included a signed, first edition first impression of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, priced at £400 and a first edition of The War of the Worlds by HG Wells, selling for £600.

The Harry Potter book and a signed first edition, 10th impression of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, priced at £200, quickly sold and the event raised £3,500 in the first hour alone.

Shelter Scotland Stockbridge shop manager, Peter Jew, described the sale as an “almost legendary event in Edinburgh”.

He said: “This is a chance to showcase and celebrate our donations and we’re immensely grateful to everyone who contributed.

“This year, we have a truly magnificent selection on offer, this is a great opportunity to grab something special while supporting Shelter Scotland in the fight against the housing emergency.”

Shelter Scotland said that there are more than 9,500 children in Scotland with nowhere to call home this winter.

Its director, Alison Watson, said people’s support “keeps us in the fight against homelessness” and thanked customers and donors for their generosity.