Concern Worldwide to open first charity pop-up shop in Derry / Londonderry

International humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide has announced plans to open the first charity pop-up shop in Derry / Londondery, expanding its retail presence in the city.

Concern says the new shop in an historic building on Castle Street will redefine the traditional charity shop model, offering a vibrant new shopping experience for customers looking for quality pre-loved clothes and household goods.

This new venture is Concern’s second shop in Derry and builds on the success of its bookshop on Ferryquay Street, which recently celebrated 10 years of serving the local community.

Ahead of the opening, Concern is recruiting a pop-up shop lead to spearhead the project and is calling on the local community to get involved by volunteering and donating pre-loved items.

Fiona Anderson, Concern’s Retail Development Manager, said the opening of the pop-up shop “marks an exciting moment for Concern” and is about “recognising and building on the incredible support that already exists from people across the Northwest”.

She said: “Our supporters and volunteers here have played a vital role in sustaining Concern’s work over many years, and this new shop is a way of investing back into a region that has shown such long-standing commitment to our mission."

Fiona continued: “As we celebrate 10 years of our Derry bookshop, our new shop in Derry City enables us to grow our presence locally, create new volunteering opportunities and welcome new supporters into the Concern community. We want the shop to be a welcoming, vibrant space where people can donate, volunteer, shop sustainably and feel part of something meaningful. We invite people to be part of this exciting new venture, to donate goods and their time and join our Concern Derry team.

“Located in the beautiful historic building on Castle Street, the shop will offer quality pre-loved clothing and homeware while bringing a fresh and modern charity retail experience to the city centre. Every donation, purchase and volunteer contribution will help fund Concern’s work supporting communities facing poverty and crisis worldwide, and we are hugely grateful to the people of Derry for continuing to stand with us,” she said.

Ahead of the shop launch, the charity’s local volunteers in Derry are also preparing for their annual hike up Scalp Mountain in June to raise money for Concern. Now in its sixteenth year, the five-mile walk to the summit will take place on Sunday, June 28 at 12 noon, departing from McLaughlin’s farm, Burnfoot, Donegal. To register: www.scalp.concern.org.uk