Oxfam has opened its first ever superstore in Oxford, where the international organisation began over 75 years ago and where the first Oxfam shop opened its doors in 1948.
At 12 times the size of the average Oxfam shop, the 18,500ft2 unit sells both Oxfam’s donated items and the ‘Sourced By Oxfam’ range of brand new ethically sourced gifts and homewares. It also has a café, housed in an Oxfam water tank.
As well as raising vital funds for Oxfam’s life-saving work around the world, the superstore doubles as a community hub; a vibrant space where people work, volunteer, donate and shop. Community groups and social enterprises are able to use the dedicated meeting spaces, while workshops, activities and talks take place regularly in-store.
The store will create 11 new jobs and numerous volunteering opportunities. It will also support Oxfam’s Future Skills project, a volunteering, training and mentoring project for women in the UK facing barriers to building a better life.
Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of Oxfam GB said: “Oxfam’s first ever superstore is an exciting new venture for us. The huge treasure trove of items on offer make it a destination shopping experience but it is so much more than a shop. It will be a social hub at the heart of the community which we hope will give people a greater sense of the incredible difference they can make by shopping, donating or volunteering at Oxfam.”
The superstore will be open for trading four days a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) but will accept donations seven days a week. Free parking is available and a drive through donation point will make it quick and easy for people to drop off their pre-loved items.
In 2017/18, Oxfam GB helped more people than ever, reaching 14 million people. Oxfam provides life-saving supplies to people hit by the world’s worst conflicts and natural disasters as well as helping communities around the world get clean water, grow food and campaign for change. The new Oxfam superstore will raise valuable funds to help support this work.
