Holywood now home to first Oxfam superstore on island of Ireland
The store is being described as a ‘pioneering venture’ in sustainable shopping.
Last updated 15th May 2024
The first Oxfam super store on the island of Ireland opens today in Co Down.
The store, which is in Holywood, is being described as a ‘pioneering venture’ in sustainable shopping.
Store manager Fiona Anderson first started volunteering with Oxfam when she was 16, as part of her Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Since then, her passion for sustainability and giving back to her local community has grown.
Now, she is trying to increase footfall in her hometown, and provide the community with a chance to shop sustainably.
Fiona said, “Throughout the time when I came back to volunteer during the pandemic, I think a lot of people realised what is important to them. For me, I am very passionate about sustainability in my clothing. We must be accountable for the clothes that we wear in how we consume and how we shop. We want people who would never step foot into a charity shop to be wowed and want to shop here.”
“We can’t continue to shop fast fashion; the earth can’t cope with the current rates that we are consuming at. Something must change, and I think that awareness is there.”
During her time volunteering, she applied for the role of store manager, and was successful. After stepping into her new role, she pitched her idea to move the small Oxfam store on Holywood High Street, into a brand-new larger venue on Church Road.
She went onto say: “We need to continue the life cycle of clothes, the amount of stuff we have with tags on that just haven’t been returned on time or are brand new and don’t fit - it’s amazing. We have such a range of goods that there is something for everyone.”
She spoke to us of her joy for volunteering: “For me, it’s the joy of volunteering, I loved to be part of something really special, which we had in our old shop. We have lots of refugees who have moved to Holywood in the last year, and this has given them a safe space, you know, we can support people too.”
The new store is providing more job opportunities and volunteer opportunities in the local community.
Fiona believes the rise in second-hand shopping is great for local communities and our environment: “Do people still have that attitude that charity shops are old and crusty? Honestly I would say that opinion is fading with this groundswell of young people who are coming to thrifting… it is cool and it’s becoming more and more relevant and innovative.”
“We are just riding on this amazing wave of people who are repairing and looking after their clothes more.”
She said she wants to get people back on the high street, in an affordable way: “You can pick up an amazing bargain, it’s the joy of shopping again. I think we lost that for a while when we turned to online shopping.”
“We provide free period products… we are helping with school uniforms. Supporting the community is really important to me as I’m from Holywood, this is my home, and I want to do all I can to try and make it the best place it can be.”
The store on 10/16 Church Rd, Holywood BT18 9BU opens on Wednesday (15th May).