Age NI

Maybe it’s just that John M has far better taste than me — that is very very likely, I admit, or maybe he just went on a bad day, but I’ve found this charity shop to be one of the better in the city. As with every shop of its type, you’ll find a lurid green and blue floral print dress in a size 28 lurking where you least expect it, but I’d guess I’ve bought 20 or more items from here over the past few years, from jeans to jackets to bags. They generally do a good selection of new or almost new board games and jigsaws for a few quid, such as a nearly new Trivial Pursuit last month for £4.99.
They also have a good selection of books and household bits and pieces, as well as new items like candles or undies (which always involves people sidling nervously up to the counter and whispering a query as to whether they’re, like, actually new). While I wouldn’t recommend giving someone charity shop knickers for a present, there’s always new and wrapped stuff here for only a few quid which is handy to stock up on for Christmas.
A cracker wee shop, and always worth going to to scowl at the religious nutters protesting outside the Family Planning Clinic next door.

Charity shops always have a level charm about that often goes slightly unnoticed. There are a few about in the city centre and this one is fairly close to my building.
AgeNI is a combined effort between Age Concern and Help the Aged and works as a non-​profit organisation to campaign for the elderly and aid them in whatever way they require.
Now as you would expect there isn’t a huge range of things you’d particularly want to buy. Clothing for example is essentially out of the question from the green blouse in the window to an orange pleather jacket I saw hanging inside
The shop is staffed by the usual friendly do-​gooders and I do mean that in the nicest possible way (it is a great service they are doing) and its certainly not the worst way you could spend a few minutes in your busy, hectic and stressful city day.
You may or may not find something of use among the various clothing antiquities and nik-​naks but you’ll almost certainly have a slightly banal story to tell some of your friends and kin at the end of it.