Book shop closure protests

4:41pm Wednesday 26th July 2006

VOLUNTEERS at a second-hand bookshop in Bishop's Stortford have blasted charity officials for its closure.

The Bishop's Stortford Royal National Institute of the Blind bookstore in Devoils Lane closed on Saturday amid concerns that it is not financially viable to the charity's long-term plans.

However Steve Gutteridge, one of 20 shop volunteers, said the closure made no sense.

He said: "The benefits of the shop are many, such as the low cost in staff, only one full-time manager, donated books, service to the community and it acting as a meeting place for the retired ladies to come in. Many hundreds of hours have been donated free by many volunteers."

He added: "Now it's just another charity retailer dedicated to just books that has gone resulting in many more lost opportunities. It's not merely the fundraising work of the store but also the free publicity for the RNIB."

Mr Gutteridge, who has been an active volunteer while recovering from illness, added the shop's lease still has 18 months to run.

He said: "Why close with 18 months still left on the lease? RNIB has to pay the rent on a shop that's now closed. It now seems the effect of donated hours, effort, care and takings in sales will be eaten up by the rent."

He added: "Many other questions still need answering as there has never been any direct communication with any of the volunteers from head office. We've been given no insight into this new' strategy by the RNIB."

The shop opened as a pilot project to raise money for services for people with sight problems. But after a performance review it has been decided by RNIB head office that the store is not in a position to raise the necessary funds to make it viable in the long-term.

RNIB's head of relationship fundraising Ann Paul said: "RNIB has an ongoing commitment to our supporters and beneficiaries to regularly review and improve the way we work and ensure our fundraising activities put us in the best position to raise vital funds for services for blind and partially sighted people.

"We know the bookstore will be missed and it's with regret that we're closing it, but we believe it's the right decision for both our supporters and beneficiaries."

She added: "We'd like to thank everyone who contributed to the stores over the last few years.

"This includes our excellent staff, those who kindly donated and bought books and our committed and enthusiastic volunteers who generously gave so much of their time and who we sincerely hope will continue to support RNIB's work."

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