Crowds set to descend on Edinburgh charity shop in bargain hunt

Shleter Scotland stage annual January event in Stockbridge

Shelter Scotland's Annual "January launch" opens at 10am on Friday

Shoppers in-the-know were set to descend on Shelter Scotland’s Stockbridge shop in what has become an annual “must-attend” event for bargain-hunters.

Customers will be aiming to pick up designer items and collector’s pieces, including famous brands such as Liberty, Mulberry and Jimmy Choo, in the charity shop’s 17th “January launch” on Friday.

Queues are expected outside the shop at 104a Raeburn Place ahead of it opening at 10am.

And hundreds of people are expected through the door in the first hours of the sale.

All items have been donated in recent months to the shop.

Among the favourites expected to attract most interest are Jimmy Choo stiletto peep toe shoes, Liberty ties, a 1970s Sindy doll bathroom suite and a selection of cult games including Dungeons and Dragons Castle Ravenloft, Power Grid, Tokaido, Android and Ghost Stories.

One of the top featured items is a rare Art Nouveau book by Czech painter, illustrator and graphic artist Alphonse Mucha. It’s signed by the artist and one of only 252 produced.

The sale raised 2,000 in an hour last year

Other collectibles include “Olivier’s Dream”, a fine portrait of the great actor Laurence Olivier by artist and fellow thespian Antony Sher; a Picquot-ware tea and coffee set with a tray from the 1950s; limited edition designer umbrella by BLUNT Umbrellas to mark the anniversary of women’s suffrage and a Mulberry Walter briefcase.

Pete Jew, manager of the Shelter Scotland Stockbridge shop, said: “This is our 17th annual January event and I’m delighted to say that we have a fantastic array of designer clothes and collectibles and, as ever, we are looking forward to welcoming eager shoppers looking for real bargains.

“From Liberty to Jimmy Choo along with the wonderful illustrated book by Alphonse Mucha the items on sale are fantastic and the number of designer label bargains is amazing.

“This annual event can only happen because of the generosity of our customers and supporters who every year help us raise as much money as possible to support Shelter Scotland’s work to help people struggling with bad housing and homelessness.

Featured items include a rare Art Nouveau book by Czech painter, illustrator and graphic artist Alphonse Mucha.

“Once more, people should expect the unexpected. This is an exciting shopping experience unlike any other.”

Last year’s January event at the Stockbridge shop made £2,000 in just an hour, with bargains including a unique set of Russian dolls.

Stephanie Reeves bought the political ornaments, caricatures of nine former Russian leaders, including Vladimir Putin, Boris Yeltsin and Joseph Stalin, for just £15.

Other highlights included a warrior costume for Live Action Role Play, cheap designer clothing and early Elvis records.

All funds raised from the annual sale go towards Shelter Scotland’s work to help homeless and badly housed households across Scotland.

The charity helps over half a million people a year struggling with bad housing or homelessness and runs a free helpline which provides support and advice to people struggling with their housing.