A charity thrift shop will close its doors at the end of this month.

The Salvation Army announced that its shop in King Street will formally close on March 31, citing sustainability concerns in the wake of a review of the charity’s services and resource allocations.

The store has now stopped taking in donations, but a spokesman for the charity said that items already donated will be transferred back into the community.

Captain Dennis Maybury, regional public relations officer with The Salvation Army, said: “We are deeply grateful to the many supporters, volunteers and dedicated staff who have been part of our journey in Hamilton.

“The Salvation Army has proudly serviced the community by offering quality used clothing and household items at affordable prices for local families and individuals to support sustainable shopping practices.

“Making this decision is never easy, but it’s part of our responsibility to assess the needs of each community regularly and to ensure long-term sustainability.”

A spokesman noted that other thrift shops remain up and running, including the Bermuda Red Cross thrift shop, Habitat for Humanity’s Restore, The Barn, Second Look, Pals Thrift Shop and many other locally run retail outlets.

“The Salvation Army regularly assesses its operations in each community to ensure long-term sustainability,” the spokesman said.

“The sustainability of the thrift store has been a challenge, and the closure of the thrift store will allow for a greater focus on programmes and services experiencing increased demand due to ongoing economic challenges after the pandemic.”

The charity noted that last year almost 50,000 visits were made to The Salvation Army for assistance, including 8,000 visits seeking food or essentials.

The charity also provided 2,718 addiction bed days and 7,442 shelter bed days.

“The Salvation Army remains committed to delivering essential community programmes, including family services, addiction recovery, life-skills training, transitional housing, emergency shelter and food assistance,” the spokesman continued.

“With demand for these services at an all-time high, the organisation continues to expand and adapt its support to meet the needs of the Bermuda community.”