A charity for the mentally handicapped is set to lose vital income - due to the closure of a shop which raises money for it.
The lease on the Mencap charity shop in Rayne Road, Braintree, is set to run out on Friday, January 31 - and the current owner has decided not to renew it.
The shop is not owned by Mencap but paid the charity a monthly sum of money from the profits.
It has been run for six years by Fred and Joy Clewes, who have raised more than £40,000 for the Braintree branch of the charity by selling donated items.
Mr Clewes said he had looked for another shop in the town centre but had been unable to find suitable premises.
He said: "I needed somewhere to store the furniture items, which are the items which bring in the most money, and somewhere for passing trade but couldn't find anywhere suitable.
"We're sorry to go. We've enjoyed doing this."
Peter Brown, president of Braintree Mencap, said the charity was going to miss the regular source of income from the shop.
He said: "We're very grateful to Fred and Joy for everything they've done for us."
Published Tuesday, December 17, 2002
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