Oxfam’s Angus presence on the local streetscape will end this weekend after the closure of its last remaining area outlet, in Montrose.
The key will be turned on the Orange Lane premises at close of business on Saturday after more than 30 years of trading.
Charity chiefs have paid tribute to shop staff and the local community, with praise echoed by shop manager Lynda Stuart for her “amazing” team and the generosity of supporters and shoppers.
The closure decision was announced some time ago and Oxfam is in the process of selling the property following a review of the shop’s profitability.
It said it was no longer practical to keep the outlet open until the sale concluded.
Lynda, who has been with Oxfam for 19 years and has managed the Montrose shop for around eight, said: “It is sad, but it was also a relief in a way to be told when the shop would be closing.
“The team of volunteers I have are absolutely amazing and the donations we get here are unbelievable.
“We’ve got very good people who donate and many regular customers.
“Although we are closing, nothing will be wasted, it will be sent to other stores, I can promise people that.
“Hopefully something else will come up for me. I’d like to stay in the same line of work because I enjoy it so much.”
Karen Duthie, area manager for Oxfam in North East Scotland said: “The decision to close Oxfam’s shop in Montrose has been taken with much sadness.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that all of our shops are efficient and making money for Oxfam’s lifesaving work around the world and unfortunately in this case, our Montrose shop was found to be no longer viable.
“I’m proud of what we’ve all achieved through the shop in Montrose over the last three decades and the local community should be too; together we’ve raised thousands of pounds to help Oxfam in the global fight against poverty and injustice.”
People have been urged to continue to support the work of the charity online at
oxfam.org.uk/shop
During the summer it emerged that donations had fallen, with fears the for sale sign above the shop was impacting on the amount of good being handed in.
Oxfam’s high street outlets in Arbroath and Forfar have also shut their doors within the last decade.
