Birmingham's newest tip shop in Tyseley is now open, offering a curated selection of items rescued from landfill, including refurbished Dyson vacuum cleaners, smart TVs, and vintage vinyl. I visited the facility on Small Heath Highway to see what treasures were hiding among the shelves, and walked away with a pair of cassettes and a set of pizza scissors for just £3.
A New Destination for Bargain Hunters
The Tyseley tip shop is a modern, well-organised space that feels more like a 'nice charity shop' than a traditional tipside hut, according to my visit. It's smaller than the popular ReUsers store in Sutton Coldfield, but it's looked after by hardworking staff who have done a great job of arranging the goods.
Among the items on offer were fully refurbished Dyson vacuum cleaners priced at £60, complete with a three-month warranty. The shop also stocked gym equipment, George Foreman grills, and a range of technology including a Bush 32-inch TV with a £40 price tag.
Finds from Vinyl to Vintage Decor
In the record section, I passed up £1 vinyl copies of Barbra Streisand, Barry Gibb, Gilbert O'Sullivan, and Showaddywaddy's Greatest Hits. Instead, I picked up a cassette of Samantha Fox's 'The Very Best' hits and a 1999 Madonna single 'Beautiful Stranger'.
The shop also featured a Jasper Conran crocodile bag, which I admired but left behind after spotting what looked like a bingo dabber explosion inside. Other notable items included a Trunki kids suitcase, dining tables, luggage, pushchairs, and a Halo bassinet-style rocker priced at £12.
More Than Just Bric-a-Brac
The Tyseley shop offers more than just small trinkets. I spotted mobility scooters and accessibility aids, as well as a selection of guitars and kids' toys, including giant stuffed animals and Hot Wheels track sets. Outside, there were rows of bikes and cages filled with fresh stock, including a large fireguard and a half-deflated Santa.
At the till, I paid £3 for the two cassettes and the pizza scissors, which feature a built-in slice scooper. While I later realised I have no way to play a cassette in my car, the nostalgia hit was worth the price.
Tyseley's tip shop may not be the biggest or the best in Birmingham, but for those seeking affordable nostalgia, it's worth a browse. With CDs starting at 60p and DVDs at £1.20, you never know what might be hiding among the racks.
