St Barnabas Hospice has permanently closed one of its charity shops in Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire due to a continued drop in sales and a lack of stock.
It has closed its shop at 43 Victoria Road, Mablethorpe, one of its two charity shops in the area.
Head of retail at St Barnabas Hospice, Caroline Peach, said: “Running two shops in Mablethorpe is no longer a viable business decision.”
She added that increased running costs and a continued drop in sales meant that the shop was no longer making money for the hospice.
No redundancies were made as a result of the closure, with the shop manager being offered a full-time post at the charity’s shop on 3 Victoria Road, Mablethorpe, which remains open.
The news comes following reports from Charity Finance that charity shops have reported wages increasing against a decline in good quality donations.
‘No longer a viable business decision’
St Barnabas Hospice, which provides palliative and end-of-life care for adults across Lincolnshire, has 24 charity shops across the country.
St Barnabas Hospice had a total income of £13.6m for the financial year ending March 2022.
Meanwhile, the charity’s expenditure was £12.3m for the year.
Peach said: “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the shop has had a low turnover for some time. With the current cost-of-living crisis and a lack of stock as influential factors, we have come to the decision that running two shops in Mablethorpe is no longer a viable business decision.
“The community in Mablethorpe has provided this shop with wonderful support over the years. Our team of staff and volunteers have been brilliant ambassadors of the hospice and a pleasure to have as part of the team.
“For a large part of its trading, the shop was run solely by volunteers, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has given their time.”
