Lama’s Pyjamas, the London Buddhist Centre's second-hand shop, is five years old and they're celebrating with a 50% off sale this Saturday, 9th May. 

This year saw their best profits ever - a grand total of £55,127 - all of which goes to support the work of the Centre.

During the LBC's Buddha Day celebrations on Sunday 10th May, staff will be handing over a giant dana cheque to Jnanavaca, chair of the LBC. They'll also be launching a Facebook page. They write:

"We couldn’t do it without our loyal customers and generous donors so we’re holding a special 50% off everything 5th birthday sale on Saturday 9th May to say thank you to everyone as we prepare for Buddha Day. 

We are also marking the occasion with our 5th birthday fashion photo shoot featuring five amateur ‘models’ from the LBC sangha, including 3 women who have all worked at the shop as Saturday staff - one model for each year the shop has been open. The photographer Evgeniy Kazannik of Green Lens Studios, the models Jodie Cole, Niki Moores, Ruta Zukaite, Nico Mensingha, and Charlie Cattrall and the hair dresser Lydia Keen all gave their skills and time as dana for the shop and LBC."

The shop in London’s East End enjoys an amazingly diverse customer base: some people spend a pound or two on essentials; others £50 or more on exclusive labels. Many customers become regulars, some come in every day.

“Many first-timers don’t realise we’re a charity shop”, says manager Abhayanandi. “We stock a huge range of clothes and accessories from high street brands to vintage and top designer, all sorts of household goods, books and more. The wonderful thing is we never know what we’re going to get next. Right now we’ve got a bit of York cathedral in our stock room - carvings made out of 15th century wood.“  

In the past week a Burberry raincoat, a Jaeger shirt, a Stella McCartney jacket, a Ghost dress and an Armani t-shirt have all hit the shop rails.

The Lama’s Pyjamas team consists of four women working full-time in right livelihood, Triratna style: Abhayanandi and Padmalila who set up the shop; Sraddhagita who joined three years ago and Sally who came on board in October 2013, along with casual staff and volunteers, including Jak Lee who donates her display skills to the shop most Thursdays.

Lama's Pyjamas
83 Roman Road
London E2 0QN
Nearest Tube: Bethnal Green

Photo courtesy of Green Lens Studios.