As the cost of living continues to rise, almost half of people living in England and Wales are turning to charity shops or considering second-hand alternatives to stretch their budgets. With over 11,200 charity shops across the country, thrifting is becoming an increasingly popular way to save money while embracing sustainable fashion. So which cities are the best for second-hand shopping?
To find out, The Co-operative Bank, which has remained committed to tackling the climate crisis for over 30 years, conducted a study to identify the best cities in the UK for shopping second-hand. The research examined data on the number of charity shops, car boot sales, and online Gumtree listings. The Co-operative Bank also consulted a fashion expert to learn how Brits can score the best bargains in second-hand shops.
Norwich ranks as the best city for thrift shopping in the UK, with four charity shops per square mile
| Rank | City | Number of charity shops | Number of antique fairs | Number of car boot sales | Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people |
| 1 | Norwich | 60 | 13 | 16 | 973 |
| 2 | Nottingham | 127 | 12 | 43 | 269 |
| 3 | Manchester | 102 | 18 | 45 | 1,123 |
| 4 | Cambridge | 36 | 9 | 23 | 530 |
| 5 | Oxford | 48 | 7 | 22 | 266 |
| 6 | Southampton | 61 | 11 | 8 | 635 |
| 7 | Derby | 55 | 11 | 41 | 309 |
| 8 | Portsmouth | 34 | 14 | 4 | 104 |
| 9 | Bristol | 145 | 10 | 16 | 450 |
| 10 | Leicester | 57 | 7 | 19 | 300 |
Norwich ranks as the best city for thrifting, with four charity shops per square mile and 60 across the city. Visitors and residents can peruse The Arminghall car boot sale, running since 1987 with up to 600 stalls, or the 15 more car boot sales nearby for treasure hunting.
Nottingham comes in second and boasts over four charity shops per square mile and 127 citywide. The city also has an impressive 43 car boot sales.
Manchester comes in third, providing a haven for thrifting enthusiasts. It also ranks as the best city for online thrifting, offering nearly 45,000 Gumtree listings for second-hand goods. Fourth is Cambridge, and despite being a smaller city, Cambridge is a haven for thrifters, boasting 2.3 charity shops per square mile and over 500 Gumtree listings per 10,000 people.
Rounding out the top five is Oxford. The city provides bargain hunters with just under 50 charity shops, seven antique fairs, and 22 car boots, so it’s almost guaranteed that you will find a unique treasure full of character and a story to tell.
The Co-operative Bank explains why thrifting can save both the planet and your finances
Sophie McHale, Public Relations Lead at The Co-operative Bank says, “Thrifting is a great way to save money while also helping the planet. Every week, 13 million items end up in landfill, and second-hand shopping can prevent more landfill waste from accumulating. On top of that, you can save up to 25% per item, which could add up to £185 a year. Each purchase can then leave money over that could go towards your savingsor other financial goals.”
