It is with deepest regret that the trustees of Rye Community Shop have to announce that we will be closing our doors for the final time at the end of next week. When we opened five years ago it was with a little trepidation that we would be able to pay the rent, let alone help the community, as was our intent.
As announced earlier in the year it was hoped to find new trustees who could continue taking the shop forward but regrettably, we have been unable to find enough trustees to enable this to happen. We three trustees no longer live in Rye, or indeed even East Sussex, and it is logistically impossible for us to continue to manage the shop from such a distance.
As Rye Community Shop will be closing next week there will be a lot of bargains to be had so please call in. Never fear, another charity will be taking over our lease and we hope to be able to announce this once the paperwork has been finalised.
We would like to take this opportunity of thanking all the volunteers past and present who have worked so hard to make the charity the success it has been. We have to date given £85,000 to local groups since we opened, and will be having a final funding round in the new year to dispose of the balance of our fund raising. Watch this space for details.
With very best wishes to all our supporters for a very safe and happy Christmas
Kate Sims, Mike Allinson and Sheila Thomas
Trustees, Rye Community Shop
