The Free Shop
Analysis
The Free Shop is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Lincoln. It was registered in May 2021, 5 years ago. Its declared purposes cover disability and the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides other finance, provides services and other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending May 2025, The Free Shop reported income of £116k and spending of £102k, spending 88% of its income. Across the 4 years on record, from May 2022 to May 2025, income grew from £45k to £116k (+161%), an average of +38% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to May 2023, when income rose by 169%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, The Free Shop sits at the 68th percentile: it is larger than about 68% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 73rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Miller Centre Trust (£116k), Turkish Cypriot Women's Project (£116k) and Poetry in Wood CIO (£116k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The Free Shop provides grants, items and services to individuals in need and other charitable organisations. We predominately provide clothes, bedding, shoes, underwear and accessories to Syrian refugees in Lebanon through a "free shop" system. All items are given at no cost to vulnerable customers, who also have the freedom to choose the donations they need and like.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Miller Centre Trust | Reigate | £116k |
| Turkish Cypriot Women's Project | London | £116k |
| Poetry in Wood CIO | London | £116k |
| Quaking Houses Village Hall Association | Stanley | £117k |