AN established charity shop closee its doors for the last time on Saturday after 23 years of trading.

The Cardiac Rehab charity shop in Market Street, Alton, is shutting, said Cardiac Rehab general manager Martin Lovell, despite an unprecedented effort by all involved to keep it open.

A run of bad luck, culminating in a flood at the premises, together with a local trading environment, had left its trustees with “no choice” but to call it a day.

“Since announcing back in April of this year the threat of closure hanging over the shop , staff, volunteers and supporters have been rallying round to do all they can to ensure the survival of the shop, which has been a part of Alton’s town centre since 1994,” Mr Lovell added.

“It was, therefore, with great sadness and disappointment that the trustees of Cardiac Rehab have been left with no choice but to close the shop.

“The trading environment in Alton has been difficult for a number of years, and last year’s flood further damaged an already weak trading position.

“Although trading has marginally improved, despite additional marketing, the shop’s sales have not picked up as hoped.

“All efforts to reduce expenditure were unsuccessful and therefore not enough to turn the tide, leaving the trustees faced with little room for manoeuvre.

“As company directors and charity trustees, the board have been very aware and mindful of their legal and moral responsibilities, and are saddened that having had a presence in the town for so many years they have had to take this very difficult decision.”

He continued: “Everyone has worked so hard to try to find a solution to the problems the shop has faced, and this decision is particularly hard on the very loyal staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make the shop a success, I want, on behalf of the trustees and myself, to pay tribute to their dedication and effort.

“We would also like to thank those loyal customers and supporters who have donated and bought goods from the shop over many years.”

Cardiac Rehab established its Alton outlet in the early days of the charity, firstly on Crown Hill and, since 2004, in Market Street.

The shop was set up as part of the charity’s trading subsidiary and given the

objective to generate profits to donate tax free to the charity in order, to support the work that it does.

Mr Lovell said: “It is particularly sad that Cardiac Rehab, a local charity serving local people, will no longer have a town centre presence.

“Cardiac Rehab continues to provide the essential and life-enhancing services it does, to its many exercisers at its specialist centre off Chawton Park Road, and the programmes that Cardiac Rehab provide are not under threat, however it still very much needs the local support that it has received.

“Cardiac Rehab receives contributions from those who use its services, but most of its funds are raised through donations and the events it runs.

“The charity receives no funding from the Government or the NHS and so the income it needs to maintain its services comes primarily from the generosity of the community.”

Heart disease remains one of the single biggest killers in the UK, with on average 435 people each day losing their lives to it. Cardiac Rehab is playing its part in improving the health, fitness and well-being of those with or those at risk of developing heart disease.

Mr Lovell added: “Cardiac Rehab can do more, and wishes to do more, but it does need the continuing support of the community to meet its annual running costs, which this year will be more than £300,000.”

To help or support Cardiac Rehab call Martin Lovell, on 01420 544794 or email [email protected]