Once-popular shop and cafe just two doors apart suddenly close in quick succession leaving customers & staff devastated

CLOSURES of two neighbouring businesses in a town has caused upset among local residents.

The Forces Support charity shop and popular St Michael's Hospice cafe in a Hereford market town announced their closures.

The loss of these long-established businesses this month has been a blow to customers in the area.

The Forces Support charity told the Hereford Times it could “only see the situation worsening”, citing recent rising costs and operational losses as a reasoning behind the closure.

In their announcement released earlier this month, the Leominster charity shop also thanked the “brilliant community” for its support.

Leominster property developer, Dean Granger, said closures like these in the town have been “disheartening” as they are “much-loved” meeting points for town residents and tourists.

Staff from both businesses have also been devastated by the news, who are known to provide hard-working, friendly, cheerful and helpful service to customers.

The coffee shop had its last day on Friday, March 28, after offering a reduced menu until its closure at 3pm.

The bookstore adjoined with the home and living shop are set to remain open, to become the greater focus of the charity.

A post made earlier this month on the St Michael's Hospice website stated, “We have a responsibility to ensure that every pound raised is used in the best possible way to support those in our care.”

“We will be able to expand the retail area of the home and living shop, to generate more income and continue providing the vital services that so many people rely on.”

Town councillor, Jenny Bartlett, said charity shops closing down is “always sad”, and both Forces Support and the St Michael's hospice cafe would be missed.

There is hope of plans for the Forces Support to continue their help in the town in other ways.

St Michael's Hospice itself will not be closing.

The closures of these businesses come after Flying Eze has revealed mass shutting down of charity shops across the UK, and the death of high streets.

What's happening to the high street?

UKhigh streetshave been declining for some time.

In 2024, the equivalent of about 37 shops shut each day, according to analysis by the Centre for Retail Research.

The rise in online shopping and increased costs for businesses have been named among the reasons for this decline.

As well as having to pay more for energy and rent,business ratesare also increasing.

Decreased footfall has also been an issue as shoppers spend less due to soaringinflation.

Numerous big high street chains have been closing stores this year.

New Lookramped up astore closure programmeahead of the upcoming National Insurance hike.

Around a quarter of the retailer's 364 locations are at risk when their leases expire.

Fashion chain Select also shut down 35 of its stores earlier this month.

The remaining 48 stores had also been set to close, but amystery business stepped in to save them.