Charity closes its first shop due to rising costs

Prospect Hospice says charity shops are its biggest single income stream

A charity is closing its original store blaming rising costs and changing shopping habits.

Prospect Hospice, which has 18 charity shops across Wiltshire, said the decision had not been easy, but it had to focus resources "where they can have the greatest impact on funding patient care".

Its store at 110 High Street, Marlborough, will close on Saturday 6 September, though its second shop on the same street will stay open.

Stuart Necrews, head of commercial income at Prospect Hospice, said the store "holds a really special place in all of our hearts... but the simple reality [is] costs are rising across the retail sector".

"Closure was in the best interest of the hospice," said Mr Necrews, explaining retail was the charity's biggest income stream.

It comes as an estimated four million fewer people are donating money to charity compared to before Covid, according to a recent survey.

Mr Necrews said: "We are so thankful to the staff, volunteers, donors and customers who have supported this shop over the years. Closing the doors is not a decision we wanted to make, but it is a necessary one to ensure we can continue providing outstanding care to local people at the end of their lives."

He added that shopping habits had changed and the store was no longer profitable.

"The NI (National Insurance) increase a few months ago definitely made life a little tougher," he told BBC Radio Wiltshire, adding: "As those pay roll costs increase, it makes it tougher for us to deliver a sustainable return."

Mr Necrews said he had met volunteers and told them he would be "delighted" for them to support the other store, adding: "No one is at risk."

"We do have some great opportunities to open new stores elsewhere across our region," he said.