Sadness as charity shop to close after 35 years

A charity shop in Plymouth described by residents as a community hub is to close in June.

The Cancer Research UK shop in Stoke has been trading for more than 35 years but the charity decided in March to close it because it was "no longer a financially viable option".

Councillors in Stoke said they had been contacted by local people who were "really upset" about the closure.

A spokesperson for the charity gave their "heartfelt thanks" to the shop's staff and volunteers for having been "powerful ambassadors" for the charity.

Councillor Jemima Laing said the shop had been "part of the fabric of life" in the community.

She said: "People have described it [the shop] to me as a 'hub' which is so much more than a shop and offers a listening ear to people, often grieving, as they drop off their donations."

The shop's Facebook page had a notice from the manager which said the shop would close on 21 June.

The charity spokesperson said: "This decision was not taken lightly, as we understand the significant impact a shop closure can have on the community.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that we are using charity funds effectively and efficiently to maximise our contribution to life-saving research.

"Whilst we explore all avenues before making the decision to close a shop, unfortunately, the Stoke (Plymouth) shop was no longer a financially viable option."

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