Students’ ‘Free Shop’ comes to Beeston

It might seem too good to be true, but this month sees the arrival in Beeston of a temporary ‘free shop’ – where locals will be able to pick up a range of second hand goods… without paying a penny!

The ‘shop’ is part of the Leave Leeds Tidy scheme, run by Leeds University Union – that aims to divert leftover household goods left by students when they leave Leeds, to people who can make use of them. Items are likely to include: clothes and shoes, kitchenware, food, electrical items, furniture, and bikes.

The scheme has been running for 10 years, and seen 138 tons of goods (worth £250,000) redistributed. Having always previously held their ‘shops’ in Hyde Park, they are this year branching out and opening ‘shops’ across the city.

The shop will be open between 9am and 4pm on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 June at the Church of the Nazarene on Hunslet Hall Road in Beeston.

Fresh items will be put out in phrases across the two days, so it won’t all go at once. High value items will be given out via free raffles. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join the free Craft Cafe running at the venue.

Leeds University Union Community Officer George Bissett said:

“As a student I thought it was great that the union agreed to take my unwanted stuff off my hands for free, and working here only allowed me to see first hand the immense effect that the donations have on the people that need them the most. It really is a win-win for everyone involved.”

Ed Carlisle, who’s helped coordinate the project here in Beeston, commented:

“This is another great project battling against needless waste in the city, and making a real impact. I’d heard great things about the scheme, and it’s fantastic we’ve now been able to bring it down here to south Leeds. Massive thanks to the University Union, and also the local Nazarene Church for hosting it. I’m sure we’ll get a good turn-out, and it’ll be great to see all this stuff go to good homes. See you all then.”