It is a busy Wednesday afternoon for Beatrice Burns, assistant shop manager in Scope Charity Shop on Denmark Hill. No wonder about that, since this place is fulfilled with everything, what real bargain hunter look for – clothes, games and music CDs. That has to be even more pleasant if you help other people by simply doing shopping.
On the first sight, the shop looks pretty much similar to all other boutiques you can find in Camberwell or any other area but if you look closer you will see heart-warming and touching quotes from people supported by Scope. That actually reminds everyone why this shop exist, seems like all the buyers have forgotten that in this shopping craze.
Mrs Burns has just come back from lunch. At the first sight, she looks like a customer wearing a black uniform. On the other hand, her suspicious behaviour distinguishes her from the rest of people present in the shop. Perhaps, she would like to extend her break few more minutes, since she behaves quite nervously and wants to tell everything as quickly as possible.
In the beginning she praises her job: “We are a small team, there is a really nice atmosphere and we get on really well. It is a pleasure to work in such a friendly environment.”
There are two more women working in Scope and they really seem to interact with one another well. However, it is a mystery why anyone would like to work in such a busy charity shop.
She exclaims immediately: “For money! Did you think that we work here for free? Obviously, big part of our income goes on the charity purposes.”
That shocking statement causes a huge confusion but after solid consideration, this attitude needs to be justified by employee’s full-time shifts and large amount of customers.
This number of customers is especially thought-provoking, since it is different to the rest of retailers at the street. It is also easy to see that clients do not reflect on the Scope’s purpose and they tend to ignore the charitable character of the store.
“I think that low prices attract customers more than the actual purpose of Scope,” Mrs Burns says.
She adds: “Let’s face the truth, most of the people in the area are not multimillionaires. They cannot afford expensive products and that is helpful for them.”
Shop manager also claims that area benefits due to their presence: “We offer variety of cheap and interesting stuff. Clients do not seem to complain.”
Regarding to signs placed on the shop’s walls and their impact on customers’ awareness Beatrice Burns says: “That surely makes customers more aware of the problem and it lets them know the real Scope’s aim. But to be honest, I do not think that it is a major factor in choosing a shop.”
It is also well known fact for Camberwell’s residents that the area is filled with all different kinds of charities and naturally that raises the questions about the potential competition between those institutions. However, Mrs Burns denies that something like that actually exists.
“There is no competition at all! You cannot really compare Scope to most of the charities. Our shop belongs to big organization and as far as I know majority of charities here are rather small.”
The most similar type of activity in Camberwell has a Cancer Research, they also have a shop with vastness of things unrelated to one another.
“Yes, they have similar type of activity but their purpose is slightly different. We collect money for disabled people and they want to cure a cancer. Both of the shops are really busy but I do not think it is a competition.”
Beatrice Burns warmly welcomes any other kind of support for Scope: “Customers are always welcome to donate either on shop or online. The organization in general has plenty of different projects, which makes them collect required amount of money.”
