Gainsborough charity shop is set to close its doors next month

After six years of trading the St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice's charity shop in Gainsborough has announced its closure.
St Barnabas Lincolshire Hospice charity shop in Church Street, GainsboroughSt Barnabas Lincolshire Hospice charity shop in Church Street, Gainsborough
St Barnabas Lincolshire Hospice charity shop in Church Street, Gainsborough

The shop, located on Church Street, will close its doors for the final time on Wednesday, August 31, after the shop made significant losses over the past two years.

Leader of Gainsborough Town Council, Councillor Matthew Boles, said: “It is hugely disappointing to hear of another town centre shop closing which will leave yet another empty unit and potential eyesore.

“It is especially disappointing given the excellent work that St Barnabas do in Gainsborough and the surrounding areas that they have not been receiving the support through footfall to keep this shop viable.

“As a community we must do so much more to support our local shops within the town centre. They can not survive without our support and will continue to close which only serves to have a negative impact on Gainsborough which none of use want. We all need to work together to once again make the town centre thrive.”

Head of Trading at St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, Phil Brandon, said: “Unfortunately despite our best efforts, the shop has been making a loss for some time and we have taken the difficult decision to close.

“The footfall in our shop has continued to decrease over the last two years which has led to a significant fall in sales, making this no longer financially viable for the hospice.

“We are grateful to the Gainsborough community for their support of our shop over the past six years and to our team of staff and volunteers who have dedicated their time and efforts to our hospice.”

The charity’s services are delivered to the Gainsborough community from their flagship day hospice, George Henderson Lodge in Morton. The unit provides a base for their community nursing teams, day therapy and bereavement support services.

General Manager for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, Nicky Ingall, said: “Our commitment to provide our care and services within the Gainsborough community remains unchanged and we have recently increased our services to meet the growing needs of the area. Our Day Therapy service is now offered weekly, a new physiotherapy suite has been created and a physiotherapist has been employed to ensure greater access in this area.

“We remain committed to supporting people with life-limiting illnesses and their families and providing them with the highest possible standard of care.”

You can still make a donation to a collection point at George Henderson Lodge in Morton.

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