Barnardo's is closing its Newton Aycliffe store on Greenwell Road permanently after May 15. The charity shop will launch a 75% off sale starting Monday April 30. The branch previously announced the start of a closing down sale on March 30. The reasons for the closure have not been disclosed, and it is unclear whether Barnardo's plans to open a new shop in the area or relocate elsewhere.
Barnardo's is a children's charity founded in London in 1866 by Irish philanthropist Thomas John Barnardo. It has more than 600 charity shops across the UK. The closure affects one of these outlets, though the number of employees impacted and the support they are receiving remain unknown.
Newton Aycliffe is located around five miles north of Darlington and ten miles south of Durham. It has a population of around 26,000. Newton Aycliffe is the oldest of the New Towns built in the north of England after World War 2. Local residents have expressed sadness over the closure on social media, with one Facebook user hoping for a reopening and another expressing disappointment. Customers have also shared their disappointment, with a shopper sending best wishes to the team and another noting it was their go-to for donations. The exact date of the final closure after May 15 has not been specified, and it is unknown whether the 75% off sale includes all items or only specific categories.