THE community charity shop in Princetown is due to close, after more than five years of fundraising.

The shop, which was first opened by the community centre, raises money for a range of different projects and groups in Princetown.

Initially rented from The Duchy of Cornwall, for several years, the shop was sold to a private owner with two years left on the lease.

Now, at the end of the lease, instead of renewing the contract, owners of the building have decided to reclaim full use of the property, including the shop.

Despite a desperate attempt to find an alternative building to relocate the shop, managers and volunteers were unsuccessful in finding a suitable venue.

Jackie Gee, volunteer at the charity shop said: ‘We are on the list for the possibility of renting within the empty building in the centre of town [Duchy Square Centre For Creativity] if someone takes it over.

‘We need to be on the main street to attract customers, we quite often get people on a coach trip pop in after they’ve been into the chip shop next door if they have half an hour to spare.’

Half of the shop’s takings go to the Community Centre.

Other donations made by the shop, since September last year, include: £500 to the church for heating, £176 to the parish council for the war memorial, £189 for the graveyard to have its grass cut, £500 to the primary school, £100 to the neighbourhood watch, £1000 for the Community Centre to install new football goal posts, £100 to the gardening club, £500 to the WI for the OAP christmas party and £500 to Princetown Youth Club.

Jackie added: ‘Since September last year we have raised a lot of money, all of the money we raise goes straight back into the community.

‘I don’t think anyone realises how much money we have given.

‘It’s such a shame because it has kept seven or eight of us who volunteer off the street! We are mostly all older people and are all going to miss it.

‘We have a one for all, all for one attitude in the shop.’

All of the fixtures, including hanging rails, are to be stored in a garage in Princetown, in case an alternative location for the shop is discovered.

Clothes and other fabrics that are not sold will be sold for scrap rags, other items that aren’t sold will be donated to other charity shops.

Jackie said: ‘If it wasn’t for people buying things from the shop and donating, it wouldn’t have been such a success.

‘It was a real community thing.’