The discovery of asbestos in a popular Cheltenham charity shop has led to it suddenly closing.
Sue Ryder, which offers palliative, neurological and bereavement support across the UK, confirmed that its fundraising shop in Edinburgh Place, Hester’s Way, had shut.
But the charity, which also runs the Leckhampton Court Hospice in Cheltenham and has three other shops in the town, says it plans to reopen its Hester’s Way unit in the near future.
A Sue Ryder spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that the Sue Ryder shop in Edinburgh Place in Cheltenham has closed temporarily.
“Asbestos-containing materials were found on the premises, as is common with buildings of its age, and these materials are now being removed in accordance with health and safety regulations.
“Health and safety is of paramount importance to Sue Ryder and we take all measures to eliminate any risk to customers and staff on our premises.
“We expect that we will be able to reopen the shop within the next four weeks, but do not yet have a specific date. In the meantime, our other shops in the area, such as our branches in Clarence Parade and High Street, are still open for business, selling a wide selection of high quality second hand goods to support our care at the likes of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.”
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The shop in Hester’s Way has been open for more than 30 years and been popular with shoppers and people wanting to donate items.
Meanwhile, Sue Ryder says its new shop in the Glevum Shopping Centre in Abbeydale, Gloucester, had already raised enough money to pay for a nurse at the Leckhampton hospice for more than 20 days.
