Oxfam pulls plug on Tewkesbury shop
OXFAM will close its Tewkesbury shop because it isn't making enough profit.
The charity, which has operated from the High Street outlet for 23 years, will shut next month.
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charity drop: Sally Hall and Mary Page who work in the Oxfam shop which is having to close due to lack of custom
More than 20 volunteers who run the shop will lose their jobs.
The charity expects each store to hit a minimum profit figure of £25,000 and the Tewkesbury branch was only making half that sum.
Volunteer Sally Hall, who has worked at the shop for four years, said: "The news really came as a shock because we were making money, but they kept telling us it was not enough.
"We feel Tewkesbury is losing an amenity, for people to buy quality second-hand books and music."
Mary Page, who has also been a volunteer for four years, said: "We have our regulars. It's a facility that benefits the community."
Customer Gill Goodchild said: "The loss of this major name will be a big blow to Tewkesbury, which is still struggling after the floods of 2007. The recession has already forced other shops to close.
"I have given many donations through this shop, but won't be donating to Oxfam in the future.
A charity spokesman said: "We have to consider both the current situation and look forward and forecast the shop's business for the period of a lease.
"Unfortunately, we have not been able to reduce costs to an affordable level. This, combined with the inability to grow sales in Tewkesbury, is why we have had to take the decision to close the shop.
"I'm sorry this is very disappointing for you, as it is for everyone concerned, and I would like to thank you for all your support of the shop and Oxfam."
The recession's most recent victims in Tewkesbury were the town's only record shop The Music Trade, which closed in February, and the Carole Ann ladies' fashion store which ceased trading late last year.
The Riverside nightclub closed last December and Marks & Spencer left the town a year ago.
7 Comments
by BND, Tewkesbury
Monday, March 22 2010, 8:02PM
“The Oxfam shop is closing unfortunately due to the amount of other charity shops we have in the town. These so called charity shops are so overpriced !!!!”
by areader, chooks
Friday, March 19 2010, 4:12PM
“why was my response removed all i said was charity shops are closing because theyre to expensive . dvds are more in them than new in hmv and the books in poundland are cheaper than oxfam , and oxfam get all their stuff for free.”
by elaine, Tewkesbury
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:10AM
“Have no time for these book shops anyway. Read an article which said that they only use the best books they are given, the others they throw out but not before they have ripped pages out of them so they are no use to anyone else. How charitable is that?!”
by Big E, Tewks
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 5:52PM
“On the TV the oxfam ad said I could save a life for a tenner, but the shop is closing because they only make £12,500 a year, stuff it, it's not like K12.5 can save any lives is it? according to the ad oxfam have just signed 1,250 death warrants”
by Local, Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 2:33PM
“I agree with my fellow locals, there are a lot of good things happening in Tewkesbury. With the arrival of Owens restaurant, and like Sarah said, the new wine shop & deli, our little town has a lot to offer, it's a lovely place to live. Please don't encourage the moaners. Most of us are proud of where we live.”
by Tewkesbury Resident, Tewkesbury
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 9:08AM
“Not to mention Store 21 which took over the spot where M&S were!!! Yes, it is sad that the shop is closing but that is economics, and that is the way that business is.....if you can't make a profit how do you expect to stay open??
Let's hope that if someone takes the lease on that we have a positive article written by the Echo!!!!”
by Sarah, Cheltenham
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 8:15AM
“Come on Echo - some positive reporting please. What about listing the shops that HAVE opened in Tewkesbury in the last couple of years - the new butchers, the new deli, the new wine shop. Or doesn't that make a good story. Why always doom and gloom. Quite frankly, Oxfam overpriced their merchandise when they became a specialist book shop, and it's no wonder people are going elsewhere.”