Martin House Hospice Shop

Visited this charity shop at lunchtime and was publicly questioned by an older overweight white man staff member about whether my bag was “mine” as I was leaving in a packed shop. I was the only Black customer present, and no one else was questioned. It felt like clear racial profiling and was humiliating. Very disappointing behaviour for a children’s hospice charity that should represent care, dignity, and inclusion. Customers should be aware. Disgraceful. Would never give my money to any organisation that is willing to work with individuals that think or behave this way. Update - After my initial complaint, I was contacted by the charity, not to hear my account, but to tell me they had already decided the staff member “wasn’t being racist.” During the call, it was admitted the staff member had been watching me because he saw what I picked up but “didn’t see me put it down” yet no explanation was given for why other customers weren’t treated the same. When this was challenged, the caller became evasive and said a manager would call me. Serious incidents like this were clearly not handled by trained or impartial individuals, and there was no clear condemnation of racial profiling. This points to an institutional issue, not an isolated one.

I was trying to see the price of a t-shirt that was hung up on the wall and a lady with grey hair very rudely and loudly asked me what I was doing and told me to stop it. I put them item back. I then heard her complaining about me to another customer saying she’s ’fed up’ of people touching things. I was truly in shock that I was happily going about my day shopping - only to be spoken to SO abrasively in a charity shop. I think this lady needs customer service training if she thinks her behaviour was appropriate. This incident was quite upsetting for me and I won’t return to this store.

Lovely charity shop. There is always a great selection of clothes, jewellery and other bits to look through and very reasonable prices. Staff are always lovely helpful too!

Went to shop this afternoon with my 5 year old, older slightly overweight white man was really rude ,complaining that I should not be brining child here It’s not first time that I’ve witnessed rude comments form staff working in Harrogate Martin house shop

A lovely little shop and a regular visit of mine. I often see it run by either a gent or a lady with glasses, both are very lovely and personable. They always make the effort to say hello and thank me for stopping in. My only issue with this one is the men’s section is too small. They price things, usually, how they should be priced for a charity shop but the section for men’s clothes is just too small and kind of undervalued; I haven’t taken off any stars for this as they may just not get many donations of men’s clothing. It’s always clean, tidy and really well laid out. Would highly recommend.