Free Shop returns to Beeston on Monday

It might seem too good to be true, but on Monday (20 July 2020) Beeston is hosting a temporary ‘Free Shop’ where you can pick up a range of second hand goods … without paying a penny!

The ‘shop’ is part of the Leave Leeds Tidy scheme – this year run by local Councillors from the main student housing wards with help from Leeds University up to 300 volunteers. The project diverted 16 tons of leftover household goods left by students when they leave Leeds, to people who can make use of them. Items include: clothes and shoes, kitchenware, food, electrical items, and general homeware.

The shop will be based outside the Watsonian Pavilion at the top end of Cross Flatts Park from 11am-3pm. The event is being run in conjunction with the Bridge Cafe, open week-round in the pavilion.

The shop will operate in a Covid-safe way: 2m social distancing; priority will be given to people wearing masks; and we will have hand sanitiser for everyone. And there will be a queue, with limited numbers let into the fenced ‘shop’ at any given time: please bear with us!

Monday’s forecast is dry and sunny, but if the weather turns bad, the shop will have to pause. If there is still plenty of stock, it will reopen 11am-3pm on Tuesday. Fresh items will be put out in phrases across the course of the day, so it won’t all go at once. Please bring your own bags.

If you can help to run this event as a volunteer please get in touch via Facebook.

The Leave Leeds TIdy scheme has been running for 11 years, and seen over 150 tons of goods (worth over £250,000) redistributed. In recent years, there have been ‘shops’ across the city – including one at the Nazarene Church in Beeston last year.

Ed Carlisle, one of the organisers, said:

“This is another great project battling against needless waste in the city, and making a real impact. Last year’s event at the Nazarene Church was chaotic and fantastic, and it’s great that we’re doing it again this year. Huge thanks to all those who’ve helped make this happen, especially the charities, councillors, and volunteers in Headingley and Hyde Park. Please spread the word, come and grab a bargain – and help out if you can.”