Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary’s charity shop to close

Date published: 31/12/2009

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary’s charity shop in Blackburn is due to close within the next few weeks.

The shop in King St was opened in 1977 and has had a loyal group of supporters and customers ever since and has been a very significant source of income for the charity.

The shop will have to close due to the landlord wishing to develop the property. At this point Bleakholt doesn’t have an alternate location in Blackburn and fears that this will now be the end of this valuable resource.

Over the years the Bleakholt Shop has benefitted from the local support of Blackburn residents.

Dorothy Walsh, Chair of Trustees said: “All of us at Bleakholt would like to thank the people of Blackburn for their support over the last 32 years, without them Bleakholt would be significantly poorer than it is".

If a suitable alternate property can be found Bleakholt hope to continue their relationship with Blackburn and its residents.

Unfortunately the shop has suffered a lot of vandalism and theft over recent years but this has never caused Bleakholt to seriously consider leaving the site.

The timing of the closing of the shop in Blackburn couldn’t be worse. The current financial climate is hurting Bleakholt badly. Just when they needed the support the most they find themselves without premises in one of the towns that they get the most support from.