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Ashford Oxfam to close after 34 years in town

A charity shop will close its doors for the final time today.

Oxfam has been in Ashford for 34 years, but is serving its last customers this afternoon.

Volunteers have been given the opportunity to transfer to nearby stores in Tenterden and Canterbury.

The Oxfam shop in Ashford
The Oxfam shop in Ashford

All donated goods will be sold at a cost of £1 throughout the day.

Francesca Munari, who manages all of the stores in Kent, says the decision to close the shop was made last year as the site has not been viable for a while.

"We have had to close as it is just the way business is," said Ms Munari.

Francesca Munari opened the store in the high street nine years ago
Francesca Munari opened the store in the high street nine years ago

"I opened the shop in the High Street nine years ago and it has been a wonderful nine years.

"I want to make it clear that we have loved being in Ashford and we hope to come back when the circumstances are better.

"It's down to the cost of the shop versus the takings.

"It hasn't been profitable for the last couple of years - it doesn't take much for a business to blossom or close.

"It has really been a pleasure in Ashford, the customers have been so loyal and I hope to see them all again in the near future in another unit."

Oxfam spent 25 years in County Square before moving to its high street spot opposite Marks & Spencer.

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