Charabanc

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
Charabanc blackpool
Charabanc

One of the must stop shops in Blackpool, Charabanc is your go-to for vintage and handcrafted items including fashion, gifts and homewares. Set into the side of the world famous Winter Gardens — a 140 year old entertainment complex comprising theatre, ballroom and much more — this community focused endeavour offers local designers and makers the priceless opportunity to sell their wares on the high street.

This community focused endeavour offers local designers and makers the priceless opportunity to sell their wares on the high street.

Charabanc opened in 2012 as a project devised and delivered by Aunty Social — a volunteer-run organisation who specialise in founding self-sustaining arts and cultural initiatives along the Fylde Coast. Since then shoppers have been picking up everything from retro vintage dresses, to prints and jewelry from Blackpool based artists, to locally blended teas.

As with any good homewares and gifts shop, product ranges vary seasonally and according to the output of local makers and producers. Visit at Christmastime and Charabanc might be filled with handcrafted decorations, with other occasions such as Easter or Valentine’s Day marked with appropriately themed cards and special gift ideas.

Product ranges vary seasonally and according to the output of local makers and producers

The shop is volunteer run and it is not unheard of for opening times to vary according to the time of year, so it is worth checking before you make a special trip. Charabanc is also known to have hosted crafty workshops and special shopping events in the past — again, it’s worth checking the shop’s social channels for these.

As with other Aunty Social projects such as arts and culture magazine Blackpool Social Club, the Winter Gardens Film Festival or the Pop-Up Picturehouse, the team at Charabanc is entirely focused on helping to create a vibrant, active and diverse community — meaning you can shop in good conscience.

1 Olympia Builiding, Coronation StreetBlackpoolFY1 4NY View map
Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Saturday12:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Sunday12:00pm - 4:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Charabanc

Where to go near Charabanc

Blackpool
Event venue
Empress Ballroom

The Empress Ballroom is a famous Blackpool venue in the heart of Winter Gardens. It has a spectacular interior, and a capacity of 3350. This makes it a wonderful place for concerts and large events.

Grand Theatre Blackpool
Blackpool
Theatre
Blackpool Grand Theatre

Blackpool’s Grand theatre is home to a broad and high quality touring programme of entertainment including drama, musical theatre, opera, ballet and dance.

Cakes by Hive
Blackpool
Café or Coffee Shop
HIVE Blackpool

HIVE is an independent artisan quality coffee shop with its own art gallery and resident baker.

West Coast Rock Cafe

Family owned restaurant that is famous for it’s burgers and brews its own beer, with a good location is close to the Winter Gardens. Its lockdown delivery menu offers everything you need for a family night in.

Stefani’s Pizzeria

At Stefani’s Pizzeria we pride ourselves in making the most delicious wood-fired pizza, we eat, drink and sleep pizza! Our Dough is made fresh daily and proved for a minimum of 24 hours and by sourcing the best ingredients from all different regions of Italy we bring you possibly the best pizza in Blackpool.

Walks in Blackpool
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Blackpool Tower

Blackpool Tower first opened to the public in 1894, and includes the Blackpool Tower Circus and Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Upside Down Blackpool
Blackpool
Café or Coffee Shop
Upside Down Coffee

Upside Down is a coffee shop with a vegetarian and vegan menu, that also sells range of house plants.

Abingdon Studios
Blackpool
Gallery
Abingdon Studios

Abingdon Studios is a contemporary visual art studios and project space based in the heart of Blackpool Town Centre.

Akash Tandoori Blackpool

This Topping Street Tandoori is a delight and is currently offering delivery for a small charge or collection with a minimum order of £13. Tandoori main dishes and a range of Madras, Dupiaza and Vindaloos to suit every palate, get started with Kofta or Kebabs, tandoori chicken or Fish Tikka.

Event venue
The Blackpool Tower

One of the most recognisable landmarks in the UK, Blackpool Tower is an iconic tourist attraction that sits at the heart of the seaside town.

Event venue
Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Blackpool is not what you think it is. Granted, its golden mile has lost a little of its lustre, its shine taken off by the cackle of hens and the rutting of stags. But there is more to Lancashire’s Las Vegas than “fun” pubs with glass dance floors and rock that has long lost its […]

Tourist Attraction
Blackpool Promenade

Blackpool’s famous Promenade is a year-round visitor attraction.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.