Opportunity Shops – a 'toehold' in the community

When John Libby arrived as the new vicar at St James’ Parish Church in Carlisle 12 years ago the church had recently finished building the new Parish Centre. It was left with an outstanding bill of £250,000.

John had come from a banking background and set to work on income-generating ideas. He initially thought that one way to clear the debt quickly would be to open a shop selling good quality second hand clothes.

But there was a problem… “The church was getting something of a reputation in the parish as an organisation that took rather than gave,” said John. “This was something we wanted to avoid at all costs. We felt it would do long term harm to our ability to engage with the local community.”

John challenged the congregation to give sacrificially and clear the debt without the income from the shop. Having given the money and paid off the debt, they then had the shop to consider and felt that instead of it now being about raising money it could quite effectively be run as service to the community – as the Opportunity Shop (or Op Shop for short).

An opportunity to reach different communities

The parish extends over two communities, one which is relatively prosperous and one not so well-to-do. “We could see that there was a danger of the parish being split in two and our having very little influence in the less affluent area,” explains John.

“We thought the shop could be at the centre of the community and in a way an expression of church among those who were harder to reach.”

“The Opportunity Shop has proved to be successful at both selling clothes and engaging the community. Many of the people who come in find support and friendship. A few have moved on to a Just Looking Course and have become part of the parish church.”

Expansion plans

“Currently the church is looking to take over other premises and extend the work. We’re planning on putting in a coffee shop/meeting space. This will give more space for people to come and chat. We don’t want to compete with other shops, so we’ll buy cakes from the other retail outlets down the street.”

“We are building a good relationship with the neighbouring shops. Our 18-30s group already use the local Indian Restaurant as a regular place to gather. We are planning on holding meetings in the new premises and using the local chip shop for fish and chip suppers.”

This initiative has caught the imagination in the deanery of Carlisle, so much so that they are planning on opening a chain of Op Shops around the town. They hope to acquire a warehouse to collect second hand clothes from the town and the churches, sort them and distribute them to the shops.

“The aim is to get a toe hold in each community and then see if there are ways that we can meet the other needs we discover as we build relationships with our neighbours,” says John. “The Op Shop acts a presence in the community and sends a message we want to be here for you and with you.”

Last Updated 08 January 2010