Use Scrapstores!
Scrapstores are a fantastic resource for running any group that supports visual arts learning!
If you run an after-school art club, visiting your local scrap store can help you access a wide range of high-quality art and craft materials for your members. The range of materials in scrapstores changes from day to day and could include card, paper, textiles, paint, corks, wool, cardboard tubes, netting, gauze and a thousand other things!
All scrapstores have different means of accessing their scrap materials. In some, you need to pay an individual membership fee, whilst in others, you simply pay for the scrap you take on the day. Below is a list of scrapstores nationwide, with contact details for each. If you are interested in listing your scrap store on the AccessArt website, then please contact rachel@accessart.org.uk.
You can see inspiring resources on using scrapstore materials here: A Wealth of Materials
The Gloucestershire Resource Centre, Gloucester
“The Gloucestershire Resource Centre has been promoting creativity in the arts, health, play and education sector through the re-use of materials from industry and business for over 32 years now. We don’t specialise in any type of materials as we have to run with the surplus being generated by local businesses within our catchment of Gloucestershire at the time, We rely on the national community of scrap stores to exchange materials we we can provide variety and choice for our 1300 plus members.”
Address and Opening Times:
City Works
Alfred Street
Gloucester
GL14DF
Tuesday 10:00 am – 7:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Plus occasional Saturdays 10am – 1pm
Orinoco Scrapstore, Oxford
“Orinoco is an Oxfordshires scrap store with a long history of using creativity, craft and play to inspire the reuse of materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. It would be easy to assume that this little charity is all about scrap, but take a look behind the lorry loads of materials saved, and you’ll find a source of affordable resources for schools and organisations working with children and young people across Oxfordshire. For more information, have a look at our website.”
Address and Opening Times:
111-113 Pound Way
Templars Square Shopping Centre
Cowley
OX4 3XH
Tel. 07763 923746
Email. oxford@orinoco.org.uk
Tuesday 12-4pm
Wednesday – Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm
Re-Imagine Resource Centre, Cambridgeshire
“At Re-Imagine, we are finding creative ways to help look after our planet. We are passionate about being creative to be well, and I provide making sessions in-store and run outreach workshops for all types of groups, as well as a fully stocked resource warehouse full of amazing items to be turned into something eco-fabulous.
We collect wonderful materials that businesses normally just throw away, and for a tiny fee, make them available for you to transform into works of art, to play with or wherever your imagination leads…”
Address and Opening Times:
We are on the same site as Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Witchford Household Recycling Centre
Stirling Way
Witchford
CB6 3FA
Wednesday 10.00am – 2.00pm
Saturday 10.00am – 12.00pm
Bits and Bobs, Cambridge
“Our Scrapstore is named Bits and Bobs because that’s exactly what you’ll find. In amongst the rolls of colourful card, massive containers full of fabric scraps, there are lots of things we don’t even have names for.”
Address and Opening Times:
3 Commercial Road
March
Cambridgeshire
PE15 8QP.
Factory Shop open to members:
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am to 4pm
Fridays and Saturdays, 9.30am to 2pm
Work and Play Scrap Store, London
“Do you need inspiring, cheap arts and crafts and design materials, or props for your productions or unusual creative play resources?
Do you want to use more sustainable materials?
For an economical fee, you, your school or your group can join the Work and Play Scrapstore based in Tooting and have unlimited access to our materials for your projects, all of which are saved from landfill.
Paper and paint, textiles and trimmings, buttons and bubble wrap, wood, foam, fine wire, and so much more… come and visit us and see for yourself.
No need to book an appointment, just come and look around!”
Address and Opening times:
Hazelhurst Estate
13 Blackshaw Road
Tooting
SW17 0DA
Tuesday 11.00am-5.00pm
Thursday 11:00-5pm
Every first Saturday of the month, 11.00am-4.00pm
Every third Sunday of the month, 11.00am-4.00pm
Use this directory to find a scrapstore near you.
Dani McCarty-Eigenmann
July 26, 2023 @ 11:57 am
Are there any craft scrap stores in Nottingham since Playworks closed?
Rachel
August 14, 2023 @ 12:08 pm
Hi Dani, I’m afraid we don’t have local knowledge of the Nottingham area but you could check this page? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064594963757
Tina West
January 31, 2025 @ 2:00 pm
Do you have a scrap store in Yeovil or Dorset?
Rachel
February 19, 2025 @ 11:26 am
Hi Tina, we don’t have stores ourselves, these are just listings we have on the site for external stores. Your best bet is to Google search for ones local to you or contact your local council. I hope that helps and good luck!