A MAJOR charity shop chain with 560 branches has confirmed it will shut one of its beloved high street store in just weeks.
The adored Shropshire bookshop announced it would be closing this month after more than a decade serving the local community.
in Bull Ring, Ludlow is shutting up shop for the last time on April 26.
The “difficult decision” to close was made after a period of , which bosses say forced them to reevaluate the shop's “viability”.
A spokesperson thanked all their “loyal” customers and community who have supported the store “so generously” over the years.
The from the shop will be taken to other Oxfam stores across the country and customers have been told they can still donate to the .
Ludlow's other Oxfam shop just down the road will also remain open.
The devastating comes as the charity announced 265 were at risk of redundancy.
Reduced fundraising and years of increasing operating costs – including wages, utilities and the hike in National Insurance – are believed to have driven this.
Distraught shoppers and bookworms have been left shattered by the news with one anguished local saying: “another one bites the dust”.
Meanwhile, another Ludlow resident and avid reader jumped into the comments to share her devastation: “Sad for staff”.
Bosses said: “We have made the difficult decision to close one of ourOxfam shopsin Ludlow.
“We are sorry to have to take this step and want to thank the local community, staff and volunteers who have supported us so generously over the years.
“Customers are welcome to continue to donate and shop with Oxfam at our other shop across the road.”;
“Oxfam shops exist to raise as much as possible to fund our work with communities around the world to overcome poverty and suffering.
“We constantly evaluate the profitability of all our shops and sometimes this leads to difficult decisions about the viability of particular shops, as it sadly has in this case.”
This comes as an , East , closed last month.
An announcement on Facebookby a local councillor read: “It's always sad to see shops close in the High Street (Oxfam bookstore closing in April – well in this case North Street).”
The organisation attributed the closure to the area no longer being a popular retail destination.
Loyal shoppers were saddened to hear the news and filled the comment section with their farewell messages.
“Oh what a shame,” penned one disappointed customer.
“Very sorry to see Oxfam bookshop go,” wrote another.
A third agreed: “Very sad news.”
Someone else shared: “That's really sad. I drive up from twice a year and always visit this shop and pick something up.”
