This August marks a major milestone for Brandon – it’s been ten years since we opened our very first charity shop on Cotham Hill, Bristol.
What started as one welcoming space has grown into a vibrant network of boutique-style shops across the south west, including Whiteladies Road and Gloucester Road in central Bristol, North Street in Bedminster, and Chipping Sodbury.
With new openings coming soon in Falmouth, Cornwall, and Plympton, Devon, our shops continue to thrive as much-loved parts of their communities.
Commitment to sustainability
We are committed to sustainability. In a world where fast fashion and throwaway culture are having a huge impact on our environment, Brandon is proud to offer a different way to shop, that’s kinder to the planet. Through our carefully curated collections and our eBay shop, we are giving clothes, books, and household items a second life. We want to reduce waste, cut carbon emissions, and encourage people to think differently about how and what they buy. Every donated item we sell is a small but important step towards a more sustainable future.
But our shops are about so much more than our drive for sustainability, beautiful displays, and quality preloved items. At the heart of everything we do is our mission to support autistic people and people with learning disabilities, to live the lives they choose.
Supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities
Brandon’s support ranges from light-touch enabling services in people’s own homes through to 24-hour support in residential care with nursing. We also offer children’s play schemes and short-break services, that deliver life-changing experiences for individuals and their families. In addition, we’ve created employment opportunities for autistic people and people with learning disabilities in our not-for-profit social enterprises, including the charity shops.
Each of our shops offers real employment in inclusive and supportive environments, giving people of all abilities the chance to learn skills, work as part of the retail team, build confidence, and play an active part in their local community.
Every purchase, donation, and volunteer hour, helps us to deliver this support to more than 1,600 children, young people, and adults. If you’re interested in volunteering with us, read Lynn’s blog reflecting on almost 10 years of volunteering at Brandon.
Retail team celebrate success
We asked Will, who is supported to work as a shop assistant at Cotham Hill, what he thought about the ten-year anniversary.
“Wow, a decade of Brandon Trust shop being on Cotham Hill – I’ve been a shop assistant in it for three of those years and during that time gained immense pleasure in working alongside inspiring managers and assistant managers and volunteers, also interacting with customers and regulars alike!”
Lotte, the manager at Cotham, said: “The shop has always been so unique in its appearance and gives an overall vibrant feel. It has always attracted such wonderful employees, volunteers and customers, along with getting great donations every day and this makes it such a joyful place to work!”
Brandon’s retail cluster manager, Chloe, who previously managed the Cotham shop and has gone on to oversee all five shops, said she is thrilled to mark the occasion. “Ten years at Cotham Hill and still going strong! As a former manager at Cotham, I’ve seen first-hand how this little shop brings people together – and how local support continues to make it truly special.”
Shop number six – Falmouth!
September will see the opening of shop number six, located in beautiful Falmouth. The first Brandon shop in Cornwall is set to be a vibrant, community-centred space that caters to students, families, and professionals, while promoting sustainability and supporting our charitable cause. This will be our most eco-conscious charity shop design yet!
The space will offer an array of carefully selected, second-hand clothing, home goods, accessories, and handmade products – designed and made by artists supported by Brandon.
The shop will not only provide affordable, high-quality products, but will also serve as a hub for community engagement, promoting and taking part in local events.
As we celebrate a decade of Brandon charity shops, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to all our staff, volunteers, customers, and donors, for being on this journey with us. Because of this support we can continue to create opportunities, champion inclusion, and make a difference on high streets and beyond.
Here’s to the next ten years and to stylish, sustainable shopping with real social impact!
