Longfield Community Hospice has announced that its charity shop in Winchcombe will close permanently on 1 September 2024 due to financial unviability. The shop, located on North Street, was opened in February 2022 to help raise funds to support the hospice’s care for people with life-limiting illnesses.
In a statement shared on social media, the hospice expressed gratitude to its donors, supporters, and customers in Winchcombe, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision. Every one of our shops exists to help fund hospice care and support families facing life-limiting conditions.”
Debbie Linton, Longfield’s head of retail, explained that continuing to operate the Winchcombe shop would place further financial pressure on the charity’s resources. She emphasised that the decision was made to ensure the long-term sustainability of Longfield and was not a reflection on the dedication of the shop’s staff and volunteers.
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“Our employees and volunteers have worked incredibly hard to support the shop and make it a welcoming and valued part of the community, and we are deeply grateful for everything they have contributed,” said Ms Linton.
The charity assured supporters that despite the shop’s closure, Longfield remains committed to providing specialist hospice care across Gloucestershire. It is currently consulting with shop staff and volunteers to support them sensitively, including exploring alternative employment opportunities.
Members of the public who wish to continue supporting Longfield are encouraged to visit one of the charity’s 21 other shops throughout Gloucestershire. Notably, there are three shops in Cheltenham and one in Bishop’s Cleeve, all within a 10-mile radius of Winchcombe.
Local customers have expressed their sadness about the closure, with one commenting on Facebook: “How very sad. I feel for Tina, Tara and Lloyd, your fantastic volunteers too and clients of the beautiful little shop. We forged some lovely friendships and helped the charity. Thank you for making my life so incredibly easy and enjoyable whilst I was there.” Another added: “It’ll be such a shame to lose this shop, I love going in for a browse and donate a lot here too.”
Longfield Community Hospice encourages ongoing community support through donations, volunteering, and fundraising to continue delivering vital end-of-life care throughout the region.