A HIGH street charity chain is making plans to close one of its stores for good leaving locals devastated.
Scope charity shop on Northbrook Street in Newbury will close its doors on December 2.
Scope is a disability equality charity that provides information and supports those who need it whilst campaigning for a fairer society for the disabled.
The charity shop chain used to have over 200 stores across England and Wales but now just 190 are listed on its website.
The retailer has said the cost of living crisis coupled with the pandemic has put huge pressure on its trading.
Locals took to Facebook to share their devastation at the news.
One user said: “Another shop closing down that will be a coffee shop, nail bar or something.”
Another said: “Nooo. It’s the last decent charity shop left.”
“Another victim of greedy landlords. When will they learn?” asked a third.
A fourth local claimed: “Once the charity shops start closing, it is pretty certain that the high street is beyond redemption.”
The charity chain confessed they have no other choice but to close the store and hopes it can relocate somewhere else in the future.
Scope’s head of retail Debbie Boylen told local media: “We were very sad to close our charity shop in Newbury, we have had such incredible support from this wonderful and generous community.”
“We never take the decision to close our stores lightly, recognising the impact it has on both our store teams, volunteers and our customers.”
“However, in certain locations across the UK, some of our stores no longer remain viable to trade.”
“The cost of living crisis, coupled with the pandemic, has placed enormous pressure on stores trading on high streets across the UK, with significant and lengthy closure periods.”
The Sun has reached out to Scope Charity for comment.
The nearest Scope charity shops for locals are outside of Newbury located in Fleet and Andover.
Scope isn’t the only charity that has been feeling the pinch, a 20-year-old charity shop in Suffolk also announced it would be closing its doors for good.
Oxfam also confirmed it would be closing eight of its UK stores this year.
It’s not just charity shops that have been hit hard, many high street retailers have been struggling to get buy over the past few years.
Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and have no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
B&M has closed nine of its stores since February this year.
Homebase closed a store last week leaving it with just 93 stores remaining since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.
Poundstretcher has closed five stores this year with another due to close by next year.
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