Major charity chain with over 400 shops to shut city centre branch home to ‘the best treasures’ in just DAYS

A MAJOR charity chain with over 400 shops is shutting its city centre branch in just days.

The Wiltshire store which is home to the “best treasures” is closing its doors on April 16.

Punters have been invited to visit the shop on Alexander Boulevard in Salisbury one last time to savour its final few days.

It is open on a Monday and Wednesday through to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm.

All proceeds from purchases made during this time will go directly to support local social services programs and assisting “neighbours in need”.

Devastated were quick to share their disappointment online, with one woman saying she “found some of the best treasures at this spot.”

She added: “I’ll miss it so much”.

Others said the closure will be a massive “shame”, whilst one shocked local said she was “sad”.

Salvation Army said the closure was due to the non-renewal of their lease agreement and thanked all their “loyal” customers who helped keep it running for so long.

Captain Teresa Bush said: “Our final day of business will be Wednesday, April 16, or until all items are gone.

“Salvation Army remains firmly committed to our mission of serving those in need throughout this community.

“Our social services programs will continue to operate with the same dedication and compassion that has defined our organisation for generations and alongside our partners at United Way of Rowan County.”;

This comes as said it is closing the location in Lodge Causeway,, “largely due to the significant increases in National Living Wage and NationalInsurance”.

The National Living Wage rose to £12.21 on April 1 with employercontributions (NICs) rising has piled pressure on retailers.

It is understood the closure is not part of a wider set of closures across the ‘s store estate.

John Broomhead, retail director for St Peter's Hospice, said: “We understand that there is a lot of worry and disappointment around our decision to close the Lodge Causeway store.

“This decision was not taken lightly. Unfortunately, the store has become a low profit-making shop.”

He added: “Our volunteers at this store have also been notified and we thank them for their service and hope they’ll be open to supporting us in one of our other stores.

“As a charity we need to ensure that our retail stores are operating at a profit, so that we continue to raise as much as possible for patient care.”