Reviewing charity shops is a tricky business as the process sparks numerous ethical and moral questions. Such stores stock products just like every other retailer, yet their profits contribute to good causes, aiding communities and individuals in need. Should they be judged merely in relation to their range of items? Or perhaps based upon how much good they do? Morally, I'd like to give every single charity shop a five star review, simply because of the ethos such operations espouse, and their contribution to society. That said, it seems slightly unprofessional to give a business five stars when the service it provides is actually worse than most, if not all of its commercial competitors, and so I feel forced to resort to a juggling act in which I try to balance these two thought processes, in order to produce a fair rating taking into account both arguments.
Spiral certainly does a lot of good. This charity is run by volunteers who use the proceeds they make selling donated items to aid people suffering from learning difficulties, specifically helping such individuals to participate in activities and recreational events. Although, unfortunately, to be frank, their stock isn't anything special, that doesn't mean this shop isn't worth visiting. You'll find books, vhs tapes, furniture, and other such assorted items, and many of the products are old, and not in the best of conditions, but that said, I'm sure if you hunt through the items available for long enough, you probably will find something that peaks your interest, and the cheap furniture in particular seems ideal for students who want to pick up something for an affordable price, which, whilst perhaps lacking in style, still performs the job it was designed for. read more
