'Sally in the Stow' scoops top charity shop award!

The Salvation Army’s ‘Sally in the Stow’ charity shop in Walthamstow has taken the title of London winner in The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards!

The shop was one of more than 5,000 that were nominated across the UK and claimed the winning spot in a public vote involving more than 40,000 votes.

Church leader at Walthamstow Salvation Army, Julie Pell said: 

“We are over the moon to win this award and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us. A huge shout out must go to our former shop manager, Tommy McInalty who worked with us for eight years before passing the baton on to Oya Altinbas. We have a wonderful team here who have worked tirelessly to make the shop what it is today. 

“Our ‘Sally in the Stow’ is more than a shop, as part of Walthamstow Salvation Army it’s also a friendly and safe space that enables us to support many local people.”

Charity shops are more than a place to pick up a second-hand bargain – they are community hubs that employ local people, help volunteers find friendship, and offer support to those with first-hand experience of the causes they support.  This sentiment was reflected in the nomination stage, when supporters were asked to share what they loved about the shop they were nominating.  

Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, Robin Osterley OBE, said:

“Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who voted. The volume of support the Awards received this year not only demonstrates the public’s passion for their favourite stores but really shows the impact they have within their local communities and the difference they make to people’s lives.”  

To find out more about the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards and to see all area winners, visit: https://charityretail.org.uk/the-uks-favourite-charity-shop 

The overall UK winner will be announced in November.