Overview
Carrie-Anne Ridsdale (Carrie), who presents publicly as Jayne Price has repeatedly claimed to run charity shops and be registered with councils, but official records show no charity registration and councils deny such affiliations. The shops operate as a business with volunteer staff and no wages paid.
In early 2022, Carrie began presenting the operation as a charity shop, baby bank, and food bank, frequently asserting that all proceeds were reinvested to help families and that no wages were taken by staff or volunteers. The shops were described as being cheaper than traditional charity shops, with multiple locations including Risca, Pontypool, Aberbargoed, and Blackwood. Carrie also claimed ongoing charity registration processes and council authorisations, which were later contradicted by official records. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Carrie maintained the narrative of running multiple charity shops and food bank fundraising shops, emphasising volunteer management and community support. Promotions such as fill-a-bag deals and significant discounts were common, with prices often set lower than other charity shops to attract families in need.
By late 2023 and into 2024, Carrie-Anne Ridsdale expanded the number of shops to four or more, continued to assert that 100% of profits were reinvested, and highlighted the non-profit nature of the business. However, official denials from councils and the Charity Commission consistently refuted claims of charity registration or formal partnerships. Carrie acknowledged operating as a Community Interest Company (CIC) from late 2025, clarifying that this status does not confer charity registration. Despite this, Carrie continued to use charity shop branding and terminology in public communications, sometimes describing the shops as 'not a charity shop but like a charity shop' or as 'food bank fundraising shops.'
Financial claims included assertions of council grants and discounts, but these were contradicted by FOI data and council statements. Carrie also admitted in public broadcasts that the baby bank was a decoy and that the operation was not a registered charity. Pricing strategies evolved to include various discounts and promotions, with Carrie-Anne Ridsdale emphasising that prices were set to cover running costs and support families, not to generate personal profit. Volunteer compensation was described as stock allowances rather than wages, with Carrie herself stating she took no salary.
Operationally, the shops were described as busy and well-stocked, with frequent calls for volunteers and managers. Carrie also claimed to have passed health and safety inspections and to be authorised by councils to operate as a CIC with fundraising shops. However, fire safety enforcement actions and prohibitions were documented at some premises.
Carrie's narrative consistently positioned the shops as community-focused, volunteer-run, and non-profit, while official records and agency denials highlighted the absence of charity registration and formal council partnerships. Carrie-Anne Ridsdale's own admissions and public statements reveal a deliberate use of charity-related branding without the corresponding legal status.
In summary, Carrie has presented the shops as charitable entities with community benefit, but this is contradicted by official records showing no charity registration and council denials. The shops function as a business with volunteer staff, offering discounted goods and fundraising activities, but without the regulatory oversight and protections afforded to registered charities. This discrepancy raises significant concerns about transparency, regulatory compliance, and the legitimacy of fundraising claims.