Hospice receives backlash over charity shop row

The Healing Horse Sanctuary's Gifts of Love store opened on Bromsgrove high street at the start of February

A Worcestershire hospice says it is "heartbroken" after it became embroiled in a row over a charity shop.

Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre had been interested in taking over a premises on Bromsgrove high street.

But due to the charity's interest, current occupiers The Healing Horse Sanctuary was told to vacate just two weeks after opening.

A spokesperson for Primrose Hospice said "recent unwarranted negativity" had caused it to pull out of the deal.

They described the decision as "difficult" but said Primrose Hospice had recently had a "positive meeting" with The Healing Horse Sanctuary.

Its founder Susie Gessey told the BBC she cried most days after receiving her 28-day notice to vacate.

After a series of tough years for the charity, which offers a safe home for various animals, Ms Gessey said she thought its luck had changed when she was offered the shop for free.

The team moved in in November and spent three months renovating the premises.

However, on 1 February Ms Gessey was informed another potential occupier, later confirmed to be Primrose Hospice, wanted to inspect the premises.

Susie Gessey said she burst into tears on hearing her charity would have to leave the shop

Gifts of Love opened the next day regardless, but on 15 February it was served its 28-day notice to vacate.

The Primrose Hospice spokesperson said the charity had simply engaged with an agent who was actively promoting a shop.

"We do very much regret the distress this caused The Healing Horse Sanctuary," they said.

"However, it's essential to understand that the 28-day notice on the lease they signed allows for the building to continue to be marketed, and landlords use this type of arrangement to keep shops open whilst still searching for a paying client."