'I went to one of the UK's best charity shops and I couldn't believe what I got for £20'

I found plenty of treats inside the shop (Image: Adam Maidment)

Charity shops are a treasure trove of pre-loved clothing, second-hand gems and unique trinkets. It takes some perseverance to sift through the shelves, but with patience, you can unearth high-value items at a steal.

With countless charity shops scattered across the nation, you never know what you might stumble upon. This was precisely the case for Manchester Evening News journalist Adam Maidment, who bagged an impressive haul for just £20.

He singled out one particular store in Bolton as holding the "esteemed position of the best of them all".

The Bolton Hospice charity shop on Hillview Road in Astley Bridge has been crowned the best in the North West by the Charity Retail Association. The establishment houses a charity shop on one side and a community cafe on the other, both operated entirely by volunteers.

He stated: "In recognition of the honour, I decided to head down with £20 in my pocket to see for myself whether it really was the best in the North - and to find out what I could buy without breaking the bank," reports Mirror Online. 

I visited the Bolton charity shop named the best in the North West (Image: Adam Maidment)

"I headed straight to the aisles to see what I should spend my £20 with.

He continued: "My first find was a plethora of Christmas-themed items, including tinsel, cars and gifts - ideal for those looking to get a head start on their festive shopping. I managed to snag a brand new festive pet costume, still with tags, for just £2.

"Next, I delved into the clothing section. Steering away from the festive aisles, there were then rows and rows of clothes - ranging from children's, easily broken up into ages and genders, to men's and women's.

I visited the Bolton charity shop named the best in the North West (Image: No credit)

"Here, I spot a jazzy little jacket for my seven-year-old niece for just £2.50 and I'm drawn to just how reasonable the prices seem to be - considering some of the pretty eye-watering price tags I've seen in the few charity shops I've been in over the last few months.

"I also spotted a Harry Potter robe and tie for £4, a kid's Adidas jacket priced similarly, and a few crates of brand new clothes from Avon, including pyjamas, scarfs, hats and gloves.

"Whilst sizes are very limited, I pick up a nice wine red hat and scarf set priced at £5. It looks thick and fluffy and will be perfect for the wintery months, so I decided it would go nicely as a Christmas present for a family member - I've just not decided who yet. Better yet, trying to compare how much it would cost if bought direct, the cheapest I could find it online was for £12," he said.

"Over in the toys and games section, I find a little family-friendly trivia quiz set that's just 80p. I'm sure it will get played a couple of times over the Christmas holidays."

"There's also a range of dolls, teddies, board games, and play sets on offer for reasonable prices too.

"I then picked up a John Cooper Clarke poem book for just £1. Meanwhile, in the homeware section, a row of suitcases pique his interest.

"Amongst them, priced between £3 and £6, is a decent black case that could be good for short-haul trips. It's not brand new by any stretch of the imagination, but it's clearly only been used a handful of times. And, considering it's just £3, it has all its stitchings, zips and compartments still in order," he said.

"Heading to the counter, I'm greeted by more Christmas items including a cute glittery candle. Whilst it's still in its original packaging, there's nothing to suggest what scent it is possessing, but at £3, I'm sure it'll be another good present addition somewhere along the line."

The grand total came to £17.30. He added: "I managed to come out with some change from his £20 and some Christmas presents, too. What sticks in my mind most about my visit is just how affordable things are and how most items on sale are in very good condition, if not still brand new."