A HIKE in rent has forced a city centre charity shop to close for good at the end of the month.

Bosses at Headway Worcestershire have announced they will close the shop in St Swithin's Street at the end of August after being unable to negotiate a new tenancy agreement with its landlord Worcester Municipal Charities.

Headway's CEO Mandie Fitzgerald said: "The decision has been taken out of our hands really as the rent has been doubled.

"Our tenancy agreement is due for renewal in September, and our landlord notified us four months ago about the higher rental price."

Headway is an independent charity specialising in supporting people with acquired brain injuries, which has wellbeing centres across the county.

However, the St Swithin's Street store is its only charity shop.

"We are losing our on-street presence so we have looked at other options but rental prices are making it difficult," she added.

Headway Worcestershire's CEO, Mandie Fitzgerald, has said that the landlord's new tenancy agreement would have meant a doubling of rent at the site. (Image: Newsquest)

Chairman of Worcester Municipal Charities Paul Griffith, said: "They (Headway) were on heavily subsidised rent, and we had advice from our valuers that the rent should be increased, and we agreed.

"Headway made a number of arguments regarding the new price, but our board wouldn't accept them.

"What they were paying was unrealistic, and we ourselves couldn't afford it."

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The shop's assistant manager Maureen Brown has worked at Headway for 13 years - and has considered retirement following its closure.

Mrs Brown said: "The rent has gone up quite a bit, and we have had scaffolding out the front for some time too which hasn't helped with footfall.

"It makes us look as if we're closed."

Headway supports approximately 500 people across the county with an acquired brain injury.

Mrs Fitzgerald added: "We have a strong community in Worcester and seven volunteers who assist us at the shop.

"We've developed a strong customer base and network in the city centre, and people know this is a safe space to spend time with our wonderful team in the shop.

"It has given some a sense of purpose and pride, so our clients are really saddened by the news."

Headway charity shop's last day of trading is Saturday, August 31.