It is with a heavy heart that we announce we are closing our four shops across South Yorkshire. The shops, in Chapeltown, Hellaby and Rotherham will cease trading on Tuesday September 28.

The Dinnington shop which is currently temporarily closed will not now reopen. Our ebay shop will also close.

A combination of factors including high street retail pressures and the impact of coronavirus has meant the stores have become loss making and no longer viable.

David Wilkin, chair of trustees said: “It is with deep sadness that we have taken the decision to permanently close our charity shops. “Like many other charities, our shops have been hit hard by the Covid-19 restrictions and a nationwide downturn in high-street sales. Despite implementing a restructuring and recovery plan, continuing to operate our shops at a loss is simply not viable for a charity. We must safeguard child and family care.”

It costs around £5 million to run the hospice in a typical year and the majority of income is generated from fundraising, donations, legacies and events. Bluebell Wood receives around a fifth of its funding from the NHS.

David adds: “Bluebell Wood is held in very high regard across the communities of South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire and we'd like to thank everyone who has supported our shops over the years including employees, families, children, stakeholders and volunteers.

“We will continue our major fundraising streams through our popular events, the charity’s lottery, and personal and corporate donations.”