Oxfam has opened its first superstore in Oxford – the same location where the original Oxfam shop opened its doors over 70 years ago in 1948.

At 18,500 sq ft, the new concept store is 12 times bigger than the average Oxfam location and will sell clothes donated to the charity alongside ‘Sourced by Oxfam’ – a range of ethically sourced homeware and gifts.

The store has created 11 new jobs and several volunteering opportunities. The charity shop will also support Oxfam’s ‘Future Skills project’ – a volunteering, mentoring and training programme for women in the UK facing hurdles to building a better life.

The superstore will double up as a community hub for people to work, volunteer, shop and donate. Customers can also visit the in-store café – housed in an old Oxfam water tank – and local groups and social enterprises are able to take advantage of dedicated meeting spaces.

The charity shop will also host regular workshops, activities and talks.

Oxfam GB chief executive Danny Sriskandarajah said: “Oxfam’s first-ever superstore is an exciting new venture for us. The huge treasure trove of items on offer make it a destination shopping experience but it is so much more than a shop.

“It will be a social hub at the heart of the community which we hope will give people a greater sense of the incredible difference they can make by shopping, donating or volunteering at Oxfam.”

The store will be open four days a week but will accept donations seven days a week via its drive-through donation point.