St Andrews is Great for Charity Shopping
- ThomasR
- Dec 21, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
It's not only the city's rugged coastline and prestigious university that make St Andrews such a great place for students. Up and down its historic city centre, major UK charities have set up retail premises.
Let's have a wee look at St Andrews' impressive charity shop scene. You save money on amazing second-hand items, they raise money for important causes. Everybody wins (except fast fashion, but we're okay with that).
Cancer Research, South Street
If you're looking for big high-street names at affordable prices, St Andrews' branch of Cancer Research has definitely got you covered.
Beyond the usual charity shop bric-a-brac (always so much fun to rummage through) you'll find pieces from Monsoon, Zara, Primark, Topshop, and Bershka. Their rails are bursting with pre-loved treasures so have a browse, bag some bargains, and don't forget show off your haul on the Ganddee app!
Save the Children, Greyfriars Garden
With a recent fancy makeover and well-presented, clearly organised stock, Save the Children St Andrews has the charity shopping experience down to a fine art! Hobbs and Dune are among some of the designer brands spotted on the racks.
Discounts can reach 70%, with a brand-new Hobbs linen dress flying off the shelf for just £35, down from the lofty RRP of £149. Don't you just love it when that happens?
Opening hours: Mon - 1pm-4:30pm | Tues - Sat, 10am-4:30pm | Sun - closed
Salvation Army, Church Street
In our experience, Salvation Army has always got a great range of second-hand items on offer, and the branch at St Andrews is no exception. Just take a look at all those goodies!
Great bargains and hidden gems await, just a stone's throw from Holy Trinity Church. You'll find Primark, Warehouse, and New Look. Stocking up on kitchen equipment? This charity shop's often got a decent selection of cookware, and loads of other trinkets. Happy thrifting!
Oxfam, South Street
Forget Waterstones! (Or at least, check out the Oxfam on South Street before heading to the big retailers.) This charity shop has carved out something of a reputation among St Andrews residents for its fantastic book selection. Browse at your leisure, find that next page-turner, and support some great causes.
They also stock a very respectable range of pre-loved clothing. Think New Look, H&M, Phase Eight, and M&S. For the guys, there's usually a decent choice of menswear: blazers, raincoats, and bombers essential for the nippy Fife weather.
Barnardo's, Bell Street
Jasper Conran summer dress for £13.50. Now we've got your attention, Barnardo's is definitely a worthwhile stop for second-hand designer clothes - we're sure you'll find something great at the branch in St Andrews.
No changing room in this one, but take the risk and you might just walk away with a real find. Plus, Barnardo's' generous 60-day returns policy (you can hand your purchase back to any store) means there's no reason not to take the plunge and buy something that makes you happy.
There's More (Charity Shopping) Where That Came From
With all these options (and a lot more besides), it turns out St Andrews is a bit of a haven for sustainably-minded shoppers.
Plan your own second-hand shopping spree on Ganddee, the free app with all the best charity shops across Scotland and the UK.
Running a second-hand shop? Take 30 seconds to list it on Ganddee (free) and stand out in front of your future customers!
