British Heart Foundation

Great little treasure trove!
I was so pleased that a charity shop had finally returned to the City Centre. I was having to head out to Kings Heath to Moseley to make donations!
The shop is quite small, but is well arranged by size and category. It is stocked with all sorts of quality seconds; brand names and alternative clothes, shoes and accessories. I bought a nice maxi dress from there for £5 and have seen Irregular Choice shoes on sale too. I have also bought a few gifts in hte past.
Always worth popping in:)

This BHF shop has revolutionised my wardrobe since it opened a couple of years ago. When I first moved to Birmingham, there was a couple of charity shops in the City Centre; meaning if you wanted to have a peruse and buy some new bits and pieces on a budget, there a was a good (ethical) option. Alas! High rents and bigger brands moved in and the Charity shops moved out.
When this little shop opened, I thought it was about time to do a wardrobe clear-​out and have a poke around to see what was available. It’s a veritable treasure trove! As this shop is centrally located, many of the people that live in the City Centre donate here. It’s always an eclectic mix, but a good one. I bought a Marks and Spencer 100% wool coat in here for £6.99 yesterday, but there was clothing from big brands (bench, Top Shop, Debenhams) and loads of lovely brand new and donated gifts on sale.
As a top tip, many of the ships in town (Urban Outfitters for example) donate many gift items that they don’t sell in the sale. I have picked up fabulous small presents for people from £1 that are brand new!
Obviously, being a charity shop; the content will always depend on what people donate. As well as some fab bargains, you will also find vile monstrosities (which are great for costume parties!).
As another top tip, they have a vintage section towards the rear of the shop. This is where the «cream of the crop» of the older clothing and accessories are picked out and put on sale. It’s so much cheaper than hitting a «vintage store» in town and there is everything from gorgeous silk neckscarves (from £1) right up to flapper style dresses and americana jackets.
If you need something new or have an eye for a bargain, I would always recommend heading to BHF before paying through the nose for «vintage» and brand new.

Inside it’s all a bit reminiscent of Top Shop (although its been years since I could fit into anything Top Shop makes — they are DEFINITELY not designed for ladies with bosoms) but the prices are a lot cheaper and the clothes — this being a charity shop — are a little bit more unpredictable.
As well as sporting the ubiquitous and more expensive vintage rail that so many charity shops seem to be going in for (I’m not sure I approve of this by the way as said rails tend to consist of jazzy blouses that even Pat Butcher in Eastenders might’ve balked at or itchy looking jumpers… its my age showing probably but I thought vintage was about nice, old stuff?) this shop has a lot of nice handbags, jewellery and shoes from some of the posher high street names — Zara and Gap featured heavily.
Staff are on the younger side than I’m used to but were sweet and the whole place had a nice atmosphere.

Although I find this shop a bit overpriced, it does have an exceptionally good vintage section towards the rear of the store. This selection of true vintage and reclaimed rehashes is also a little pricey but I can’t really blame them for capitalising on the fact that VTG is so ‘in’ right now. Ha.
I think I’ve had it lucky charity shop wise as most items in the BHF by my nan’s in East London are just £1. I’ve been spoilt haven’t I?
Still, beggars can’t be choosers when there is only one charity shop in the city centre.
The DVD selection in here is usually worth a look too and I think the clothes in general are of a higher quality than most charity shops.