Established charity shop shuts down in Muswell Hill

Sue Ryder’s shutdown marks the first high-street closure of 2023 on Muswell Hill Broadway, reports Fran Di Fazio

Sue Ryder charity shop on the Muswell Hill Broadway closed permanently last Friday, 13^th January, due to the lease expiring.

The shop’s profit from selling donated clothing and items went towards providing care and bereavement support to terminally ill or neurological patients and their families.

Debbie Jewell, the Muswell Hill shop supervisor, said: “Over the years, we’ve built up a great relationship with both shoppers and donors alike. Valerie Allwood, the shop manager, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank visitors to the shop for all of their support.”

“The Finchley Central shop is nearby, so people can continue to shop whilst supporting Sue Ryder’s palliative, neurological and bereavement support to those who need it most,” Debbie added.

The closure was reported by the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association, which keeps track of changes regarding local businesses on its social media. Since March 2020, when the Covid-19 lockdowns started, the Association reported around 15 permanent closures.

The Muswell Hill Broadway and nearby roads are home to a substantial number of shops run by well-known charities. Retail activities contribute over £360 million to charities’ annual revenue and employ more than 26,800 people nationally.

In August last year, children’s charity Barnardo‘s shut down its Muswell Hill Road branch permanently. The organisation stated that the shop was operating at a loss.

Charity shop closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic were one of the main factors driving charity revenue loss. During the first national lockdown only, charity shops reportedly lost around £285 million in sales.

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