AN established charity store which started as a pop-up bring and buy sale is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year.
The Salvation Army and its charity shop based in Salt Lane has now grown within the city for people to meet, share stories, as well as picking up some bargains.
Salisbury Salvation Army's Captain Martin Davison said: "We are blessed to have some terrific volunteers who make our store what it has become, a much loved and appreciated place to meet."
"Our people make visitors feel welcome and over time, friendships are built as folk pop in for a chat and for social time with their friends."
As well as being a fundraiser for the Salvation Army, the store also offers a useful facility to support people who are homeless or having a challenging time.
Items on the racks and shelves mean that different sizes and fittings can be discreetly provided at no cost, while the person being supported can choose the colour or style of clothing they may need without embarrassment.
Approximately 20 per cent of the clothing donated to the store is used in this way.
The Store has also seen a significant change in the age of its clientele over the years with far more younger people seeing value in pre- loved items as a way of saving the earth's resource as well as offering good financial sense.
There is a shared value within the charity of giving new life to items that might have found their way to landfill saving on raw materials and energy costs of making new items from scratch.
Some people even intentionally buy from the shop for this reason or purchase items they are going to re-imagine using their craft skills to create something quite original and different from the chain stores offerings.
Captain Martin said: "We have great legacy of thrift as it can be a struggle to keep an older listed building in good repair and have our doors open as often as we do, but, in a wonderful way, the shop significantly helps with this as well as being a much appreciated and well used community hub.
"We hope to remain a significant part of the Salisbury community for years to come as we try to adapt to the changing needs of our local neighbourhood."
The Salvation Army Store on Salt Lane is located within the Main Church and Community building and is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The shop is run entirely by those who are giving up their time for free.
Proceeds from purchases support the charity's work in Salisbury.
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