A famous charity shop has shut its last store in a UK town with further closures expected. Bosses at Scope said it comes amid the shift to online shopping, as well as rising rents, energy costs and staff expenses.

The shop in Newport, South Wales, closed it doors on Friday (April 5). It was the last remaining Scope store in the region and the closure has left local people concerned. Scope Chief Executive Mark Hodgkinson cited the current challenges faced by retailers. As well as the national minimum wage rising, Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently increased the rate of national insurance contributions (NIC) to 15%. She also lowered the threshold at which employers pay NIC from £9,100 a year to £5,000 a year.

Mr Hodgkinson said: “Our shops have helped us raise vital income to support our work with disabled people and their families.

“We will be putting forward proposals to close some of our shops, in stages, over the next 18 months.”

Jackie Steptoe, assistant manager at Scope Newport, said: “It is very sad not only for our team here but also for our customers as we are the cheapest charity shop in the town.”

Local people have since taken to social media to react to the news. As reported by the South Wales Argus, one resident said: “High street retail is over, and no, it’s not the council’s fault.”

A second added: “Look at the list of the shops closing and you’ll see it’s a national problem. There are many prosperous times on that list.”

Simon Williams wrote: “Sad state for Newport if even the charity shops are closing.” Beverley Gale, a retail veteran of 46 years, commented: “I’ve never seen it so bad.”

Mervyn James said: “Shows how bad it is, when even subsidized second-hand shops and pound shops are unviable now.”