The clothing and homewares store at 31a South Street has already launched a closing-down sale, with the last day of trading scheduled for Saturday, February 7. Rising rents are widely believed to be a major factor behind the closure, which follows the recent shutdowns of Scope in Jackson Square Shopping Centre on Bridge Street, St Elizabeth’s in Florence Walk, Sue Ryder in South Street, and the Oxfam book, CD and DVD shop in North Street.

A Salvation Army spokesperson told The Indie that the closure is a result of the tenancy agreement coming to an end.

“Where feasible, we will continue with a shop tenancy agreement, but where that is not possible we will invest funds in other services or areas,” they said.

“We are extremely grateful for the support from our customers and donors in Bishop’s Stortford over the years.”

Charity shops across the UK have been struggling in recent years due to a combination of factors. Shortages of donations and the rise of online resale platforms such as Vinted have made it more attractive for people to sell second-hand clothing rather than donate it.

This trend has affected both the volume and quality of stock available in charity stores, according to a report by The Indie in July 2024.

The closures in Bishop’s Stortford have left the town’s high street noticeably emptier, raising concerns among local residents and shoppers.

Charity shops have traditionally played a dual role in communities, providing affordable goods for shoppers while raising funds to support vulnerable groups.

Local shoppers have expressed disappointment at the string of closures. “It’s sad to see so many charity shops closing in such a short period,” said one resident. “They’re not just shops; they’re part of the community.”

With The Salvation Army shop’s closure, Bishop’s Stortford faces a significant reduction in high street footfall and community services.

While the charity plans to redirect funds to other services, the loss of physical stores highlights the challenges facing small market towns across the UK in an era of rising rents and growing online competition.