Crunch aids Oxfam

PLENTY TO READ . . . Volunteer Charles Bourne stocks up the bookshelf in the Oldham Oxfam shop

THE credit crunch has boosted sales at Oldham’s Oxfam shop — but people want books and music instead of second-hand clothing.

Sales since April have leapt by around 6 per cent and volunteer deputy manager Anne Watson said she can’t get hold of enough books, CDs and records — nor the volunteers to sort through and price them.

The Yorkshire Street shop nets £25,000 each year to help the charity combat worldwide poverty and suffering.

But the rise in cut-price clothes shops, such as Primark and Matalan, have forced it to change its tack.

Anne explained: “New clothes are so cheap now that it has knocked our traditional clothing sales.

“But we have a big market in books, CDs and records, and also good quality clothes. We sell them at reasonable prices and people still love to come in and get a bargain.”

She added: “We only opened our music department last year, and we have built up a good clientele since then.”

Sales of ethically-produced food have also been hit, but Anne said the shop would soon be marketing its ethical Christmas goods, which were always good sellers.

The shop is glad of donations, and needs more volunteers to join the ranks of around 20 faithfulls who run the shop from 9am-4pm six days a week.

Volunteers usually give up a morning or afternoon to man the shop, but there is always a need for back-room volunteers who can spare a couple of hours to sort through donated items.

Anyone who wants to volunteer can pick up details from the shop.