Bargain shop selling school uniform with up to half off – and it’s not Aldi or Lidl
A BARGAIN shop is selling school uniforms and shoes with discounts of up to 50% – and it’s not Aldi or Lidl.
Shoppers spotted the items on sale at a number of Poundland stores.
The uniforms, including dresses, skirts, trousers, shirts, and jumpers, have been put up for sale at bargain prices.
Poundland hasn’t sold new school uniforms for the past two years and it’s likely that the products on sale are part of old stock that some stores have found.
A shopper said she found school uniforms and shoes at a Poundland in Skegness, Lincolnshire.
She shared photos of the items she spotted on sale on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, writing: “Poundland Skegness, school uniform and school shoes half price or less!”
Among the items being sold are white and pink socks, grey and black dresses, skirts and white shirts.
The store is also selling black school shoes for £3 – down from the original price of £12 – as well as tights in a variety of colours including black, grey, and blue.
Another Poundland customer shared another photo of school uniforms on sale at the bargain shop.
The clothes are lined up on a rack with a sign reading: “The big clothing sale, up to half price.”
A member of the Facebook group wrote: “I’m going town in a bit so will have a look.”
Another commented: “Might have to pop up in the week.”
One more added: “Thank you for sharing.”
If you’re interested in any of the items on sale at Poundland, it might be worth checking if your local store has any on sale, since not all of them might have the same amount of old stock available.
You can find your nearest store by using the locator tool on Poundland’s website.
You should always remember to shop around before buying anything on sale as you might find the item cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Price Spy let you compare prices on thousands of products to find out where it will cost you the least.
You can also have a quick scan on the Google Shopping/Product tab to see how much retailers are selling a particular item for.
Meanwhile, Tesco has brought back its 25 per cent off school uniform sale is back.
Shoppers are rushing to snap up cut-price trousers, tops and jumpers at the major supermarket chain.
The discounts started on Tuesday and a shopper confirmed that they had landed in her local store.
She took photos of numerous racks of school trousers, pinafore dresses, shirts, and jumpers available at reduced prices.
The offer doesn’t tend to run for a long time, so it might be a good idea to stock up while you can.
EXTRA HELP WITH SCHOOL UNIFORM COSTS
IF you can't get targeted help from your council, you might have some other options available to you.
In some areas, you can talk directly to your school, which might be able to offer you clothing.
Or, you might be able to get cheap garments from low-budget shops or charity stores.
Some charities offer help to families in need too.
But bear in mind charities often have a limited amount of money to give and usually have specific criteria which must be met in order to get a grant.
Charity Turn2Us has a free grants search tool on its website which you can use to find out what help is available to you.
Meanwhile, you can always try approaching your nearest Citizens’ Advice branch.
If you don’t know where your nearest Citizens’ Advice branch is, you can find out by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/nearby/.
If you’re not eligible for a school uniform grant you might be able to get help through the Household Support Fund.
How to get financial help to buy school uniforms
Households who receive certain benefits such as Universal Credit could be eligible for grants of up to £200 to put toward the cost of school uniforms.
This is known as the school uniform grant and is offered by all local authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
In Wales, families with children in reception and up to year 11 can claim the free cash.
Children whose families are on lower incomes and qualify for certain benefits can apply for a grant of £125 per child.
However, if your child is entering senior school and going into year 7, you’ll be able to get a boosted £200 payment for this academic year.
In Northern Ireland, all councils are offering grants of £93.60.
In Scotland, the amount offered varies by council but generally, it is at least £120.
However, not all councils in England offer the grant, so the best thing to do is check with your local council about what help is available and when to apply.
For example, Islington Council in London offers grants worth £150 to pupils transferring from primary to secondary school and on free school meals.
Meanwhile, Nottingham City Council is offering different amounts depending on the child’s school year.
Reception-aged pupils can get £15 to cover the cost of clothes while Year 9’s can get £30.
You can find your local council’s website by visiting www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
But many parents don’t know that a number of councils in the UK are offering extra help on top of school uniform grants.
Families can also receive what’s known as “local welfare assistance” in the form of a one-off cash payment to cover the cost of school clothes.
In some cases, the support can be worth hundreds of pounds, but it can depend on where you are.
Sara Williams, who writes the Debt Camel blog, explained: “Different councils have different schemes available.
“Sometimes it is called household support, sometimes other names such as local welfare assistance.”
The Sun approached 20 local authorities in England to find out if they offer local welfare assistance to cover the cost of school uniforms.
Four said they did, including Southwark Council, Islington Council and Ealing Council, all in London.
Worcester City Council has also handed out grants worth up to £580 previously.
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