Nuneaton charity shop closes down

[dutchman]

The tills have rung for the last time at a Nuneaton charity shop.

The Mary Ann Evans Hospice store in Queens Road is now closed.

It was back in September that the News revealed the closure plans, with charity chiefs explaining that it was with a heavy heart that they had to make the decision.

The store's lease is up early next year and that, coupled with dwindling profits, have signalled the end of the shop which only celebrated its 20th anniversary in March.

Hospice chief executive Liz Hancock said: "The lease expires in February 2015 and the hospice has made the very tough decision not to renew.

"The shop, which opened in 1994, has experienced a significant drop in income over the last few years.

"The hospice shops, of which we currently have six, help to raise the funds we need to run our care services and therefore it is vital they remain financially viable.

"The staff and volunteers at the shop are obviously very disappointed that this decision has been made but still remain passionate about the work they do."

It is hoped that another shop could be opened in Nuneaton if a suitable one comes along, possibly in the town centre itself.

In the run-up to the closure of the shop located on the corner of Edward Street, customers could buy items as cheap as £1 so that the charity could get rid of as much stock as possible.

The store now stands empty with a 'To Let' sign on the first floor.