The Peel Street outlet, next to Ruby’s Cafe & Gift Store, carries all the usual goodies such as clothes, shoes, jewellery, books and more – some pre-loved and some brand-new.

Among the quirky items spotted this morning were a long navy woollen coat embroidered with scientific calculations, and knee-length, spiky-heeled purple leather boots.

Red Cross area manager Tracie Walters said the money raised would go to the charity’s programs such as Telecross, TeleCHAT, Good Start Breakfast Club and Young Parents Program.

Read also:

Youth and community programs officer Stephen Riley said Red Cross shops were “always very well-received in the local community”.

“They go a long way to helping the local community, so I think it’s a real bonus to Tamworth,” he said.

“The funds will go to all the programs that are run by the Red Cross helping the vulnerable and underprivileged – so all very honourable causes.”

Ms Walters said the shop had about 10 volunteers in place and more on the books waiting to be approved, but more were welcome – “always”.

“People go on holidays and things like that, so it doesn’t matter if someone can work a day, or two days a week, or even two hours – everything’s appreciated … volunteers are gold.”

Shirley Bell and Robyn Clapham were two of the workers on the shop floor this morning.

Both women already volunteer for local branch activities such as running Bunnings barbecues and making Trauma Teddies for young hospital patients.

Mrs Clapham said it was a pleasure to be one of the first volunteers.

“The way the shop’s been set up is lovely: very inviting, very reasonably priced,” she said.

Both are volunteering for a half-day a week at this stage, to fit in with their other commitments.

Ms Walters said the shop had been about two months in the planning.

She said she thought op shops were mostly popular because people didn’t like the idea of “throwaway clothes”, and saving money was a bonus.

“If they can recycle it and it’s good, they’re more than happy to buy and swap and sell,” she said.

“If you can get good-quality products for a cheap price, then why not?”