Reclaiming and repairing unwanted items has helped Blackpool Council’s recycling shop sell a record breaking £100,000 of second hand goods this year.



The money comes from the revenue made at the Tip Shop, which is located on the first level of the tip at Bristol Avenue, Bispham, and offers recycled goods at a discounted price.

The Tip Shop idea was inspired by council staff back in 2013, who were shocked at the amount of perfectly good, usable items being disposed of at the site.

Now, everything from books and DVDs to furniture and electrical goods such as computers, washing machines and tumble dryers are sold at bargain prices.

The electrical items are received through bulky waste collections taken away by the council’s bulky waste partner Furniture Matters. Those items are then tested to make sure that they work properly before being put on sale with a three or six month guarantee.

Every year, the council donates £10,000 of the shop’s revenue to the Mayor’s Charity. This year will see Trinity Hospice receive the funds to support its remarkable work.

The additional money raised will help support vital recycling and environmental services, such as keeping the tip open six days a week, and protecting many other popular and essential services such as the Rover mobile recycling unit which stops off at various locations throughout the town and surrounding areas.

Cllr Fred Jackson, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “The Tip Shop has been a tremendous success since it opened four year ago and has had a record year in achieving £100,000 in revenue for the first time by recycling goods that would normally be thrown away.

“It plays an important role in looking after the environment by saving items from landfill, and has contributed £10,000 each year to local charitable and worthy causes.

“The shop is not only being used to recycle goods that can be of use to people, it is helping save on waste disposal costs and puts money back into the town, its people and public services. It’s a fantastic result all round.”

The Tip Shop is open every day (except Thursday) from 10am to 3.45pm.

To find out more, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/tipshop