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Date confirmed for closure of much-loved Oban charity shop

Charity bosses blamed rising costs and reduced income for the move.

The shop window of Mary's meals charity shop in Oban featuring their signature blue paint work.
Mary's Meals charity shop in Oban will closed after more than a decade in business. Image: Mary's Meals.

Oban residents have told of their disappointment at the closure of a well-loved charity shop.

Mary’s Meals, on Stevenson Street, will close its doors for the final time on Friday.

The store has been a fixture in the town for over a decade but it has now been deemed no longer viable.

Locals turned to Facebook to share their memories of the shop.

Robert Fraser wrote: “The rates, burden and cost of services are probably too high to sustain a meaningful profit margin.

“Sad to see it go because it’s a charity I can identify with.”

Anne McKillop added: “Sad for them and those they support as I frequently bought from this shop.

“Huge loss to the town. I will miss the amazing, hardworking, dedicated staff, so to them, I say a massive thank you and  wish them all well for the future.”

Lillian Adcock said her father was a regular customer at the Oban store.

She wrote: “Such a shame. My late dad, Donnie Douglas, loved the ladies and this wee shop. A loss to the town.”

Alison Chadwick wrote: “Really sorry to hear this. Not good for the charity or Oban.”

‘Difficult decision’ to close charity shops

Mary’s Meals was founded in the nearby town of Dalmally and feeds more than two million hungry children worldwide every day.

The Oban shop is one of two closing in the region this week, with Lochgilphead’s Argyll Street store also bound for closure.

A total of six properties are being shut down across Scotland.

In February, charity bosses unveiled plans to make cuts, blaming rising costs and reduced income for the move.

Previously Daniel Adams, executive director of Mary’s Meals, said it had not been an easy decision.

He said: “After much deep consideration, we have taken the very difficult decision to close our six charity shops in Scotland – including our shops in Oban and Lochgilphead.

“In recent years, there has been a steady decline of income from our shops – while the cost of operating them has continued to increase.

“This means that sadly the shops are no longer a viable source of income for our charity.”

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