We talk shop with Nottingham legend and boss laydeh Charity Shop Sue

Sue, it’s a pleasure to have you featured in the pages of LeftLion - how are you doing and what have you been up to recently?

Not good. Not good at all. Someone keeps dumping hospital waste at the back of the shop and it's really stressing me out. The things I have seen in those bags have given me nightmares. On a positive note, I’ve done some digging and have a short list of five people it could be, so if they are reading this, just know that your time is running out!

You have a real personal touch when it comes to customer service and handling staff - what’s the secret to your Sue-cess in people management? 

I use something I call the ‘hot and cold’ technique. This keeps everyone around you on their toes because they never know how you’re going to react. Often I just use facial expressions to let people know if they are getting warmer or colder to what I want. One time, my volunteer Viki broke an ornament in the shop and she thought I was gonna flip out. But, I just laughed it off. Then when she put too many sugars in my tea I flipped the F out! Keep them guessing and they will tread carefully.

Tell us a bit about your former life as a celebrity stylist in Paris and Milan… How did you make it from market trader’s daughter to the international fashion world?

What people don’t know is that selling fruit and veg isn’t too dissimilar to styling someone. Like bodies, vegetables come in all shapes and sizes and you need to know how to pear the right person with the right outfit. Business is the same from market trading to fashion - you have to convince people to trust your suggestions over their own and when you have as much expertise as me, it's a recipe for success. I spent a while styling Linda Evangelista in the 90s. I was the reason she got her short funky cut in copper. The problem is we ended up getting mistaken for each other. One time the paparazzi in Milan started chasing me round the city, taking pics of me, hounding me, thinking I was Linda. I lapped it up and worked the camera. She was seething and fired me that same day. She is so beautiful but I must say jealousy isn’t pretty.

Your charity shop Sec*hand Chances in Bulwell really put Nottingham on the map. Do you still have a connection to the charity shop world or have you moved on to bigger things?

There is nothing bigger than charity, it is the centre of my world, the reason I exist. I will never move on from my work in charity because I am all about helping unfortunate people. I’m still a charity shop manager in Bulwell. While I love doing DJ sets and appearances, they will always be secondary to helping those in need.

The past few years have seen many retailers close down - we’ve certainly felt the loss of Wilkos in Notts (RIP) - if you were in charge what would you do to zhuzh up the high street?

There are loads of empty properties in Notts - why don’t we help more independent businesses by using these spaces as for indie pop-ups. It could really add to that retail buzz we used to have in Notts. I miss Wilkos too, its left a huge hole in Bulwell. I’m tempted to move my shop into the old building - Tuke’os - basically having everything you can have in Wilkos but second hand. I’ve got big plans!

You’ve been a star at loads of Pride events over the years - what’s it like being such an icon in the LGBTQ community?
It’s the biggest compliment I could ever have. My best friend Dean at school was gay and I was the first person he came out to. I got into many a skirmish shutting mouths up that weren’t kind to him. Kersch is also my work bestie - we look after each other and no one can calm me down like Kersch.

Dead Sweet TV, the filmmakers behind my show are also LGBTQ+. I have the community’s ‘back’, no questions asked and they have mine. It’s a magical mutual love.

You’ve starred in music videos, been on MTV Cribs and someone even did you on RuPaul’s Drag Race. What’s your personal highlight of your career so far?
Probably drawing up plans for a refurb of the backyard area of the shop. I might not have got funding for it yet but just knowing I’m capable of doing very complex and intricate designs and architecture really makes me proud of myself. My volunteer, Viki, has also promised that she’ll start on it herself. She said she’s going to go to college and start learning how to be a builder. Oh my dreams could be coming true very soon.

You’ve recently published an audiobook, Charity Shop Sue's Tools for Management and Success, that some social media users have called ‘life changing’. Can you give us a sneaky taste of what to expect from it?
“Life changing”. “The ultimate book in business and success”. “The biggest thing since the internet”. These are just a few of the things that people are saying about it. Look, I just wanted to share all my knowledge and give everyone a leg up in life. Honestly, whether you want to know how to deal with snakey staff, how to break up a fight in the workplace or bring your Gran back from death it's all in there!

You also run exclusive coaching sessions - what‘s your top tip for anyone looking to gain confidence and get on top?
Recognise that those around you don't want you to grow because it makes them feel insecure about their own lives. Get rid of the drainers and learn as much about the New York stock exchange as you can! The stocks will be stacking up and the drainers will be flushed away.

We’re excited to hear what’s next for Sue… Do you have any exciting business ventures up your sleeve?
I want to make another documentary about my life and the shop but the TV industry is playing silly buggers with me. It seems the industry doesn't know what to do with a strong working class woman who's confident and in charge. They only want people they can laugh at but they aint gonna get that with me. I am a boss laydeh and I won’t dim my power or scuff my shine - and neither should YOU!

All episodes of Charity Shop Sue are available to stream on YouTube. Read our interview with Charity Shop Sue creators Dead Sweet TV by clicking here.

@charityshopsue