A fond farewell to our Houghton le Spring Charity Shop
Over the last 14 years, our Houghton le Spring charity shop has been at the heart of the town, valued by local people and played a significant role in raising awareness of the vital work we do to support those in the area, as well as raising much needed funds.
Earlier in the year we were saddened to announce that St Cuthbert’s Hospice has made the difficult decision to close the charity shop on Newbottle Street. Despite our best efforts to boost sales with promotions and high-quality stock, footfall in the area has remained too low to sustain the shop financially. The shop’s final day of trading is Wednesday 27th May 2026.
Angela Lord, Sales Manager, Retail & Lottery said:
“First opening its doors in May 2012, the shop has raised vital funds to support high-quality hospice care and support across County Durham, thanks to dedicated Shop Managers and an exceptional team of volunteers.
“This has been a very difficult decision to make. Our Newbottle Street shop has been a valued part of the community, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us over that time.
“We know this news will be difficult for many to hear. We are working closely with staff and volunteers affected, and are pleased to share that many are remaining with us and will be working and volunteering in another of our St Cuthbert’s Charity Shops.
“As a charity, we have a responsibility to ensure every pound we spend is working as hard as possible to provide the excellent hospice care our community needs. Charity shops need high footfall to generate the sales required to both cover costs and raise funds. Sadly, despite the dedication of our wonderful team, footfall at the Houghton le Spring location has remained too low to sustain the shop.”
This decision comes after a challenging 12 months for St Cuthbert’s Hospice. We currently receive just 35% statutory funding and need to raise around £4 million each year to continue delivering our vital services throughout the county.
We are grateful to all who support us in whatever ways they can, so that we can continue to care.
St Cuthbert’s continues to operate a range of charity shops on high streets across County Durham, and also at our Furniture and Homeware Store. In each shop you can find thousands of pre-loved, quality items, including clothing, homeware, books, crafts, and toys. We also have a dedicated eBay shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Houghton le Spring charity shop closing?
We’ve worked hard to keep the shop thriving with great stock and special promotions, but sadly, fewer visitors in the area have made it difficult to keep going. Our charity shops depend on busy high streets to raise the funds that make hospice care possible. Without enough footfall, even the dedication of our amazing team and the generosity of donors can’t reach as many people as we need.
Why make this decision now?
As a charity, we have a responsibility to use our resources as effectively as possible to provide the best care for our patients and their families. While closing any shop is difficult, especially one that has been part of a community for so long, we must make tough decisions to ensure each of our shops delivers strong and sustainable profitability to support hospice care. This allows us to redirect our resources and energy to areas where we can make the greatest impact and raise more funds to support our compassionate care.
When will the shop close?
The shop will close Wednesday 27th May 2026.
Will any other shops be affected?
No. This decision only affects our Houghton le Spring shop. All our other hospice shops remain open for purchases and continue to accept donations. You can find your nearest shop here. You can also find our eBay shop
What will happen to the staff and volunteers?
Our paid staff have been offered, and accepted, alternative opportunities at our Chester le Street shop . Many of our dedicated volunteers are also taking up opportunities within out other hospice charity shops. We’re incredibly grateful for their commitment and everything they’ve contributed over the years.
Can I still donate items to Houghton Le Spring?
We are no longer able to accept donations at our Houghton Le Spring Shop. You can find your nearest shop here.
Can I still shop with you or donate elsewhere?
Yes, please do! We have 8 charity shops across the region that would love to welcome you. Your continued support helps us provide vital care to our patients and their families. Our eBay store is also available for you to browse a selection of brilliant bargains, and our own online shop stocks our popular Christmas Cards and Calendars each year.
Are St Cuthbert’s Hospice still facing financial difficulties?
In 2025, we announced several redundancies across the organisation, leading to service reductions and closures to help make sure we could continue to provide palliative and end of life care to people in County Durham. This incredibly sad action safeguarded the care we provide, though we still very much rely on the support of the public, businesses and trusts and grants. Since making those announcements, we have been blown away by the support shown by our community. This kindness and generosity is vital to sustaining our services. Although we continue to operate in a challenging financial climate, the strength of support from the public, local businesses, and trusts and grants has made a huge difference.
We currently receive just 35% statutory funding and need to raise around £4 million each year to continue delivering our vital services throughout the county. Meaning that 65% of our funding comes from the generosity of our supporters, lottery players, grants, gifts in wills and so much more. Every act of kindness from our community is gratefully received.
Find out more about fundraising opportunities or ways to support.
Whether you leave a gift in your Will, set up a regular donation, play our lottery or take on a challenge, there are so many meaningful ways to help St Cuthbert’s continue its care compassionately.
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