Paddington toys bought at annual bargain bonanza

TWO original Paddington bears and a collection of James Bond soundtracks were among the star buys snapped up at knockdown prices as bargain-hunters flocked to Stockbridge.

These Paddington bears went for £50 each at the sale, where many gathered to search for collectables. Picture: Katielee Arrowsmith

About 80 eager shoppers queued outside Shelter Scotland’s charity shop for its Famous January Launch, now in its 12th year. As soon as the doors opened at 10am yesterday, customers flooded the Raeburn Place store on the lookout for designer clothes and collectables at low prices.

They included a Yohji Yamamoto black cape at £60, a Cabbages and Roses coat at £50 and a selection of handbags including Radley and Mulberry starting at £30.

Vinyl soundtracks to the first dozen Bond movies ranged from £10 to £30.

One shopper queued for an hour before the shop opened and managed to snap up two Paddington bear dolls at £50 each.

Another buyer, Sarah Ogden, just missed out on the vintage toys, but bought a green £300 Mulberry handbag for just £40. She also picked up a top hat for £40, a suitcase for £10 and a handful of Liberty of London ties.

“It’s a fantastic shop,” she said. “I just like to have a look and see what I can find.” 
Manager Pete Jew, who has worked for Shelter for 20 years, said: “This is not a sale but an event. It’s great. The success is about how people feel when they leave and people are leaving with smiles on their faces.

“For me that’s more important than the money.

“I think we are the most successful retailing charity shop in Britain. We make £1000 in store every single day of the year and if we include the bookshop it’s £1200. Every single thing is unique.”