A CHARITY is set to sell off its Maldon High Street store to raise money for a replacement day centre for the district.

The Farleigh Hospice store, pictured right, will be sold alongside its previous hospice location in the Bentalls Complex in Heybridge, which closed its doors on December 15 last year after a nearby factory which supplied its water was decommissioned.

Farleigh Hospice ran a day service at the centre which offered patients support, assessment and nursing care and creative activities such as arts and crafts.

The hospice had already been looking for new premises due to the repair works needed and a lack of space at the centre.

More than four months down the line however, no alternative sites have been identified.

The hospice plans to relocate its High Street store to a location nearby, potentially also on the High Street, though a site has not been finalised.

The Maldon district has been without a day care centre for those with life-limiting illnesses since December.

The building in the Bentalls Complex has been listed for sale with estate agents Fenn Wright, which is also selling the High Street store, with a guide price of £420,000.

Tim Bradfield, retail operations and development manager at Farleigh Hospice, said: “Although we are moving our retail shop in Maldon, the relocation will not be far away – we’re looking at options further up the High Street.

“We’re hoping to find a more open-plan location to give our customers an improved shopping experience.”

A volunteer at the High Street store, who asked not to be named, said he was dismayed at the sale.

The volunteer said: “I think it’s very concerning what they are doing. We volunteers have been informed about it and the potential places it could move, but have not been consulted at all.

“If they were to move up to the further end of the High Street, there could end up being far less room for the customers and workers, and it could end up being neglected.

“It’s all very frustrating. I hope wherever we’re moved to will be sensible.”