Emmaus

I found this second hand idyll when in need of a coffee table and after much trundling through the back streets of Portslade. I was delighted to encounter this coffee shop come grand charity shop, and spent a lot of time sifting through the various records, books and oddities that are usually expected in a place like this. On greater inspection I realised Emmaus was also a community in itself, the charity offers work and accommodation to homeless people and relies on donations from the public and happy shoppers like me. It is chocked full of bargain buys and I found the perfect coffee table for 8 quid. I recommend this place for your second hand furnishing needs, and because its a bit out of the way you are likely to find some bargains that would of been snapped up in the centre.

Yet another five star review from me.
This place is absolutely huge, selling a wide array of second hand good. As with most charity shops, they have plenty of clothes for sale, but it is the furniture and homewares that are the real draw for me.
I think my best purchase from here was an old school cocktail cabinet, with a pull-​out front that serves as a mixing table. Very unusual, and certainly not available in Ikea. If you’ve moved house and need to furnish your new place, this is where to head for unusual and cheap furniture. And, it’s all for charity too.

The other guys have said it all. All I will add is that they do a bonfire night every year where people donate fireworks and pay a pound to get in if you want to show your support that way, the fireworks and bonfire are normally pretty good.
It has a historical next door which is worth checking out to make a day of it.

Emmaus is the kind of charity shop dreams are made of… well, my dreams, anyway! It’s a big sprawling place, which occupies two buildings– there are numerous rooms filled to the brim with bric-​à-​brac, furniture, kitchenware and more. If you need a chest of drawers, a bedside table or a desk, it’s definitely worth visiting Emmaus to check out what they’ve got. They often have really lovely 30s and 40s pieces… a couple of times I’ve had to tear myself away from gorgeous art deco dressing tables, simply because I don’t have the space. Prices are really reasonable here, a book shelf or a cabinet will cost somewhere in the region of £10-£25 depending on style and condition.
The housewares section is really great too: you can pick up all sorts of kitchen appliances, vases, and chinaware for next to nothing. As is always the way with charity shops, sometimes there’s nothing interesting, but sometimes you’ll find an absolute gem. The book section is really great, you can often buy 3 books for £1, which is an absolute bargain! They also have a funny little broom cupboard full of paintings and prints… quite often they’re not priced and prices are invented at the till, meaning it’s quite possible you’ll walk away with an absolute steal! Last time I was there I was charged £2 for a beautiful painting and a really cool plant pot!
Not only is this a really great place to pick up a bargain, it is also a charity well worth supporting. Emmaus help homeless people to rebuild their lives, by providing work and a home in a supportive community.

Emmaus is a charity dedicated to helping the homeless through its various businesses. The actual centre is located quite a while from the centre of Brighton. It’s located in Portslade old village. But once you get there its worth it in my opinion.
The complex is sprawling with a series of different self standing shops on one site offering goods for sale along with a cafeteria. One shop focuses upon plants while another displays fine china and glass for sale. Clothes and furniture are also for sale on site.
The cafeteria offers nice cakes along with simple dishes such as door step cheese toasties which was expertly presented. The project aims to help the homeless to acquire important social and working skills, so they can improve their own lives. Which is what charity should be about helping people so they can help themselves.
Do take a wander around the spacious grounds. There is a secret garden accessible by a tunnel underneath a road. There is some pet gravestones and a small human burial ground. But I did not feel spooked out though by the presence of the dead. A place worth visiting as its very popular despite its odd location.

This community is a registered charity no’ 1 053 354. It has a chapel shop selling restored furniture, clothing, bric-​à-​brac. There is a garden centre selling plants and shrubs. Why not meet friends in the café for breakfast? Or lunch? They are committed to recycling and reuse. The community are always on the look out for donations.