Darlington’s free school uniform shop is opening for longer during the busiest part of the summer, giving families more time to find donated clothing before the new term begins.
The Darlington Cares shop is on the ground floor of Feethams car park, opposite the rear of Boyes. It collects unwanted school uniform, has the items professionally cleaned and gives them away free to anyone who needs them.
Nearly 50,000 items reused
In the six years since the project began, almost 50,000 items have gone back into use. The council says that has diverted more than 22 tonnes of clothing from landfill, making the shop both a practical of help for families and a large-scale reuse scheme.
Throughout August 2026, normal opening is Monday to Friday from 10am until 1pm. Hours are extended to 10am until 4pm during the weeks beginning 17 and 24 August. The shop will be closed on bank holiday Monday, 31 August.
Demand is expected to be high in the run-up to September. The project is run by volunteers and can only offer the sizes, colours and school-branded pieces that have been donated, so visitors may not always find every item on their list.
Where to pass uniform on
Families whose children have grown out of clothing or moved school can donate at the Feethams shop during opening hours. Other collection points listed by the council include In a Spin Laundry Services on North Road, the donation bin outside Cockerton Club, Eastbourne Park Community Hub, Firthmoor Community Centre, the Dolphin Centre and The Beehive at Lingfield Point.
Reusing uniform helps in two clear ways. It cuts the amount a family may need to spend at the start of term, and it keeps good-quality clothing in circulation rather than treating it as waste. The service is open to anybody who needs uniform or simply prefers the environmental benefit of choosing pre-owned items.
Councillor Jim Garner, the council’s for stronger communities, thanked the volunteers who keep the service running, particularly through the busy summer weeks. Their work turns a series of individual donations into a dependable town-wide resource.
Anyone planning a visit should allow for queues and remember that stock changes with every donation. Anyone clearing a wardrobe can help fill the next family’s list by taking clean, unwanted uniform to one of the collection points.
Source: Opening hours, donation points and reuse figures were checked against Darlington Borough Council’s update of 3 August 2026. Image: Darlington Borough Council.