A CHARITY shop in the town centre has announced it will be closing after 20 years.

The Daisychain Benevolent Fund Trust, which has further shops in Worcester and Malvern, has announced it will be closing its shop on Bridge Street in Evesham at the end of the year due to a "challenging retail economic environment".

In a statement, Daisychain Benevolent Fund Trust said: "It is with regret that Daisychain Benevolent Fund has had to make the difficult decision to close its Evesham shop at the end of the year.

"This is due to the continued challenging retail economic environment in the area.

"We are extremely grateful for the support of our staff, volunteers and customers over the last 20 years.

"This has enabled Daisychain Benevolent Fund Trust to fund vital equipment and services with our partnered organisations including Teenage Cancer Trust and the Riverbank Paediatric Ward at Worcestershire Royal Hospital."

Monies raised across the charity's shops go towards funding medical equipment and specialist services for children and young adults.

The charity's Evesham store has "Closing Down Sale" signage in its window while the planned closure means it will not take anymore donations.

Window signage confirmed the news. (Image: Contributed)

Evesham town councillor Ann Lyon, who represents Abbey ward, said: "We want to see the town full of shops of course, and busy.

"Obviously there are problems in the town and it's a difficult business environment.

Evesham's mayor, Robert Raphael, said: "It's always a shame to see shops closing down.

"I think Covid has a lot to answer for in terms of the economic situation and in general terms, the 'high street' is on the decline for a number of reasons, such as out-of-town shopping centres.

"The town centre is a major project for the Evesham Place Board who are continuously looking for inward investment and to get the area spruced up."

On Evesham's "difficult business environment", Cllr Lyon added: "I suppose the most obvious reason is the general lack of disposable income within the general population.

"That's a situation that I don't think will improve anytime soon.

"Winter is coming now and so people are thinking about their energy bills, for example."