Charity shop given festive makeover by UK's biggest preloved bookseller

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 14:15

By David Murphy

Jenna Boyle, shop manager of Age UK Chadderton and the Christmas window display

A Chadderton charity shop has been given a high-end festive window transformation thanks to World of Books, the UK's largest preloved book retailer.

Age UK’s shop in Chadderton was one of just a few across the country to win a festive window display created by a professional designer who typically works for luxury brands like Harrods and Ferrari.

The competition, open to shops using World of Books’ ‘Sell Your Books Pro’ scanning service, offered the prize as a way of supporting charity retailers through a difficult trading period. The service helps shops generate extra revenue from donations and free up floor space.

Renowned display artist Penny McNeish travelled to the Oldham borough to lead the shop's transformation. Her visit offered hands-on guidance to staff and volunteers at the precinct-based shop, which is run by four staff and supported by 35 local volunteers.

Shop manager Jenna Boyle said the team were thrilled to win the makeover:

The window looks absolutely fantastic. It’s festive, creative and unlike anything we’ve done before.

We pride ourselves on our shop’s appearance, so having the opportunity to learn from World of Books and Penny will have a long-term impact when it comes to trying out future ideas, as well as attracting visitors.

Our shop plays a big role locally, offering not just a place to pick up pre-loved bargains but also a space where our volunteers, who come from a range of multicultural backgrounds, can feel welcomed and part of the community.

World of Books says the makeover scheme supports the environmental benefits of preloved retail while helping shops raise more funds for the causes they support. The Chadderton branch regularly uses the Sell Your Books Pro system to recycle or resell surplus books and media, particularly after the busy Christmas donation period.

Kama Villiers from Sell Your Books Pro said:

“Charity shops are at the heart of their communities, but Christmas can be a particularly challenging time for retailers who are already stretched.

“We’re proud to not only help them raise extra funds for a vital charity, but also give something back in a creative way.”

The new Christmas display will remain in place throughout the festive period and is expected to help boost footfall and support Age UK's work with older people in the local community.