One of Dundee’s longest-established charity shops, the Brittle Bone shop on City Road, is to close at the end of the month.
The closure of the 45-year-old outlet will also see the well-deserved retirement of popular manager Theresa Cannings, who has served at the shop for the past 17 years.
The charity shop, a fundraising outlet for the Dundee-based UK charity Brittle Bone Society (for people with osteogenesis imperfecta), is thought to be one of the oldest charity shops in the city.
It was due to be refurbished, however chief executive Patricia Osborne said they had coincidentally received an offer for the purchase of the shop which effectively took an agonising decision of whether to modernise or move the shop elsewhere out of their hands.
She said: “We knew of the impending, planned retirement of our shop manager Theresa Cannings and we had conducted a review of the overall contribution of the shop.
“It was clear we needed to decide whether to invest in an upgrade or perhaps relocate the retail operation. The costs for refurbishment and upgrade were excessive, however and purely coincidentally at that time, we were approached and asked if we would consider selling the premises.
“The purchaser came along at a very convenient time for us. It would fit in appropriately with our celebration of and marking of the retirement of our much-admired shop manager Theresa and we felt it appropriate to consider the offer.
“Everybody knows the shop at this location and we want to take this opportunity to thank all the loyal supporters whom throughout many years have donated to the shop and continued to help fund our work.”
The society’s chairwoman Elaine Healey made sure all the outstanding volunteers were rewarded with certificates marking the number of years they had volunteered and each were given a wishbone pin.
Dundee woman and trustee of the society, Yvonne Grant, whose mother founded the charity in Dundee in 1968, gave a short speech in recognition of Theresa’s contribution over the years and thanked her for outstanding service to the charity.
The local volunteers who gave so much of their time to the BBS are Lisa Sheriden who has been volunteering for 18 years, Lisa Brankin (three years), Betty Cushnie (five years) and more recently Reece Cushnie who for the last few months had been learning the ropes as a shop volunteer.
Patricia said: “All were suitably thanked and they will be having a nice lunch locally to celebrate Theresa’s retirement and take a pat on the back for all their efforts.
“Theresa has been tirelessly working for the BBS since 1996 and we are sure many will raise a toast to the closure of a much-loved local landmark. But we know Theresa is looking forward to spending more time with her family.”
Patricia pointed out that anyone wanting to donate their unwanted items to BBS can still do so by bringing their items to a new textile bank that will be located at the charity’s head office in Guthrie Street.
The skip will be installed on Monday February 25 and will be easily recognised by the BBS charity logo, situated within their large car park. More information can be found on their website brittlebone.org.