The UK’s thriftiest cities

22 January 2025

8 min read

According to recent research, just under half of people in England and Wales are shopping more in charity shops, or considering doing so due to the rising cost of living. With over 11,200 charity shops to choose from, one in ten individuals say that the majority of their clothing purchases in the next year will be second-hand.

As we are starting to thrift more, we’ve examined which UK cities have the best second-hand shopping outlets per square mile, from charity shops and car boots to antique fairs and Gumtree listings online. To help you find those bargains, we have spoken to Personal Stylist Hellana Mardasian, who has shared her tips for shopping in second-hand stores.

The top 20 thriftiest cities in the UK

City
Number of charity shops
Number of antique fairs
Number of car boots
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people
City 1. Norwich
Number of charity shops 60
Number of antique fairs 13
Number of car boots 16
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 973
City 2. Nottingham
Number of charity shops 127
Number of antique fairs 12
Number of car boots 43
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 269
City 3. Manchester
Number of charity shops 102
Number of antique fairs 18
Number of car boots 45
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 1,123
City 4. Cambridge
Number of charity shops 36
Number of antique fairs 9
Number of car boots 23
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 530
City 5. Oxford
Number of charity shops 48
Number of antique fairs 7
Number of car boots 22
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 266
City 6. Southampton
Number of charity shops 61
Number of antique fairs 11
Number of car boots 8
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 635
City 7. Derby
Number of charity shops 55
Number of antique fairs 11
Number of car boots 41
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 309
City 8. Portsmouth
Number of charity shops 34
Number of antique fairs 14
Number of car boots 4
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 104
City 9. Bristol
Number of charity shops 145
Number of antique fairs 10
Number of car boots 16
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 450
City 10. Leicester
Number of charity shops 57
Number of antique fairs 7
Number of car boots 19
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 300
City 11. Gloucester
Number of charity shops 16
Number of antique fairs 4
Number of car boots 17
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 192
City 12. Glasgow
Number of charity shops 133
Number of antique fairs 3
Number of car boots 7
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 765
City 13. York
Number of charity shops 46
Number of antique fairs 6
Number of car boots 124
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 373
City 14. Newcastle upon Tyne
Number of charity shops 44
Number of antique fairs 5
Number of car boots 3
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 692
City 15. Liverpool
Number of charity shops 81
Number of antique fairs 2
Number of car boots 26
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 169
City 16. Coventry
Number of charity shops 34
Number of antique fairs 15
Number of car boots 8
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 186
City 17. Birmingham
Number of charity shops 91
Number of antique fairs 22
Number of car boots 24
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 297
City 18. Edinburgh
Number of charity shops 97
Number of antique fairs 2
Number of car boots 11
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 533
City 19. Dundee
Number of charity shops 27
Number of antique fairs 4
Number of car boots 4
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 311
City 20. Plymouth
Number of charity shops 39
Number of antique fairs 2
Number of car boots 6
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 299

1. Norwich

Ranking as the thriftiest city in the UK is Norwich, with four charity shops per square mile, or 60 charity shops in total. The Arminghall car boot sale, a major event in the region since 1987, features up to 600 stalls where your next budget-friendly treasure can be discovered. If Arminghall doesn’t deliver your next bargain, then Norwich has 15 other car boots to rummage through.

2. Nottingham

If you’re searching for charity shops in Nottingham, you’re in luck! The city boasts over 127 charity shops - an average of more than four per square mile, the highest of all locations analysed, making it the perfect location for second-hand treasure hunting. On top of that, the city has 43 car boot sales, making Nottingham a true haven for thrift enthusiasts.

3. Manchester

Manchester ranks third overall for second-hand shopping opportunities. The city boasts 102 charity shops, 18 antique fairs, and 45 car boot sales, providing plenty of options for bargain hunters. Manchester also leads in online listings, with 1,123 Gumtree listings per 10,000 people, highlighting its strong presence in the second-hand market.

4. Cambridge

Despite being one of the smallest cities on the list, Cambridge has plenty of thrifting opportunities. With 2.3 charity shops per square mile and just over 500 Gumtree listings per 10,000 people, Cambridge offers second-hand buys to both in-person shoppers and online thrifters. The Trumpington Car Boot Sale takes place every Sunday, and with a £10 pitch fee, you can affordably sell some of your own bric-a-brac and make some savings along the way.

5. Oxford

With shops such as The Retro Room and Antiques on High, the historical backdrop of Oxford acts as the perfect setting for finding the next second-hand bargain. The city provides bargain hunters with just under 50 charity shops, seven antique fairs, and 22 car boot sales, so it’s almost a guarantee that you will find a unique treasure full of character and a story to tell.

The top 10 cities for charity shop lovers

Rank
City
Number of charity shops
Number of charity shops per square mile
Rank 1
City Nottingham
Number of charity shops 127
Number of charity shops per square mile 4.4
Rank 2
City Norwich
Number of charity shops 60
Number of charity shops per square mile 4.0
Rank 3
City Bristol
Number of charity shops 145
Number of charity shops per square mile 3.4
Rank 4
City Southampton
Number of charity shops 61
Number of charity shops per square mile 2.9
Rank 5
City Oxford
Number of charity shops 48
Number of charity shops per square mile 2.7
Rank 6
City Cambridge
Number of charity shops 36
Number of charity shops per square mile 2.3
Rank 7
City Manchester
Number of charity shops 102
Number of charity shops per square mile 2.3
Rank 8
City Portsmouth
Number of charity shops 34
Number of charity shops per square mile 2.2
Rank 9
City Leicester
Number of charity shops 57
Number of charity shops per square mile 2.0
Rank 10
City Glasgow
Number of charity shops 133
Number of charity shops per square mile 2.0

1. Nottingham

With seven different White Rose charity shops selling pre-loved clothing for The Aegis Trust and 16 charity shops in the Victoria zone alone, Nottingham Centre is a charity shop haven. For those looking in outer Nottingham, Rainbows charity shop in Beeston or Hope charity shop in Clifton are also good choices for a charity shop hunt.

2. Norwich

Eight charity shops line the paths of Magdalen Street in Norwich, making up over 10% of the 60 charity shops in Norwich. And for those looking for a second-hand designer bargain, the British Heart Foundation shop on London Street has a designer clothing rail to look through, meaning you can buy high-end fashion for a fraction of the price.

3. Bristol

Despite being ninth in the overall thriftiest cities ranking, Bristol comes third for the number of charity shops per square mile at 3.4. The city also has the most charity shops in the top 20, with 145 in total.

Along Fishponds Road, you can pop into St. Peter’s Hospice, Barnardo’s and Cancer Research all in the space of under five minutes walking time. And with numerous coffee shops along the way, a charity shop day out in Bristol can be a thrifter’s dream.

The top 10 cities for online thrifting

Rank
City
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people
Rank 1
City Manchester
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 1,123
Rank 2
City Norwich
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 973
Rank 3
City Glasgow
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 765
Rank 4
City Newcastle upon Tyne
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 692
Rank 5
City Southampton
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 635
Rank 6
City Edinburgh
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 533
Rank 7
City Cambridge
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 530
Rank 8
City Bristol
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 450
Rank 9
City Aberdeen
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 393
Rank 10
City York
Number of Gumtree listings per 10,000 people 373

1. Manchester

Manchester's online shoppers are well looked after when it comes to thrifting online. There are over 1,000 (1,123) Gumtree listings for second-hand goods per 10,000 people or a total of nearly 45,000 (44,405). Just under 30% (28%) of those listings are in the home and garden category, offering pre-loved settees, dining tables, and other furniture bargains to decorate your home with.

2. Norwich

Norwich makes the top three for both charity shops and online thrifting, with 973 Gumtree listings per 10,000 people. Buying second-hand clothing can be a great way to save some pennies, and as the average UK household spends £723 on clothing, pre-loved fashion can significantly reduce this. Money-savvy Norwich residents can easily achieve this, with 11% of Gumtree listings being listed under clothes, footwear, and accessories.

3. Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland rounds out the top three best cities for online thrifting, with 765 Gumtree listings per 10,000 Scots in the city. If you are on the lookout for child toys, over 13% of Glasgow’s Gumtree offerings are under the baby and kids stuff category. With an average of £159 being spent on toys in the child’s first year, sites like Gumtree can be a great way to reduce this cost.

Thrift like a pro: expert tips for scoring hidden gems

We spoke to Personal Stylist, Hellana Mardasian on how to find the best items in charity and vintage stores.

1. When’s the best time to visit a charity shop?

“Monday and Tuesday are great days to hit up charity shops, as people often drop off donations over the weekend. You’ll typically find these items out on display at the start of the week. Try to go in early, especially if they have items in the window; it’s often where the best stuff is showcased. Also, it’s worth calling ahead to ask about specific delivery or restocking days, so you can plan your visit around when new items are put out.”

2. How often do charity shops restock or bring out new items?

“Restocking varies by shop, but most tend to refresh their stock at least once a week. The best times to visit are usually after the weekend, as that’s when fresh donations tend to hit the shelves.”

3. What should I look for when quickly assessing the quality of an item?

“Start by checking the fabric—look at the care label, fabric composition, and stitching quality. High-quality fabrics like cashmere, wool, silk, leather, cotton, and shearling are your go-to, while you’ll want to avoid synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic. Pay attention to the construction of the piece: a well-made item is often crafted from a single piece of fabric, which shows a higher level of craftsmanship than one pieced together from multiple parts. Also, check the zippers - brands like YKK are a sign of quality - and inspect the garment carefully for any stains, pilling, broken zippers, or holes.”

4. How can I identify genuine vintage or designer items vs. replicas or fakes?

“Authenticity comes down to the details. Feel the materials—genuine leather should have a certain weight and texture, while fake leather can feel lighter and plastic-y. Look closely at things like stitching, buttons, zips, and labels. High-end designers often include authenticity codes or numbers on the label (like with Chanel bags). For leather items, the smell can also be a giveaway—real leather has a distinctive, natural scent. If you’re unsure, compare the item to images of the same style online to spot any discrepancies.”

How shopping second-hand can save both your pennies and the planet

Sophie McHale, Public Relations Lead at The Co-operative Bank says, “Shopping second-hand is a simple but impactful way to prevent clothing and homeware items from ending up in landfill and it can also help improve your savings at the same time. Every week, 13 million items of clothing end up in landfills, and 670,000 tonnes of furniture each year goes to waste.

“Not only does thrifting help towards reducing waste sent to landfill, but it can also help reduce the demand for water. The fashion industry is the second biggest consumer of water, using 93 billion cubic meters of water, or enough to meet the needs of five million people at once. Buying second-hand can help slow down the demand for new clothing and ultimately bring down the use of water.

“Saving the planet and contributing towards great causes through charity shops can be a simple way to make a difference, but your wallet can also benefit from second-hand shopping. You can save up to 25% per item when you thrift, saving an average of £185 per year across all purchases. That extra 25% could go towards future financial goals or into a savings account to help you put away even more money through earning interest”.

“This year, to mark Second Hand September, colleagues at The Co-operative Bank demonstrated their commitment to protecting the planet by donating their pre-loved clothes and household items to our partner, Oxfam GB. We also encouraged our customers to join in with the donation drive through our branches and offices throughout the month of September”.

Sources & Methodology

The Co-operative Bank, which has been committed to tackling the climate crisis for over 30 years, researched the number of charity shops, antique fairs, car boots, and the number of Gumtree listings in 30 UK cities to determine which city is the most thrifty and best for second-hand shopping. Each metric, other than the Gumtree listings, was indexed based on the amount per square mile of each city. For Gumtree listings, the number of listings per 10,000 of the city’s population was indexed. The index for each metric was then averaged to create the full ranking for the most thrifty UK city.

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