Hitchin: Former Scope charity shop to become Santa's grotto

Hitchin's Scope branch shut its doors last month, and the unit at 30 Market Place was up to let by estate agents Aitchison Raffety.

In the latest update, Visit Hitchin has teased the opening of a Santa's Grotto via Facebook.

A post on social media read: "Merry Christmas, Hitchin!

"Say hello to our new Santa's Grotto!!!"

"We are so excited to be able to bring you this wonderful new addition to our town for Christmas. What do you think?" The post added.

The grotto will open on multiple weekends; 23 - 24 November, 30 November - December 1, 14-15 December, and 21 - 22 December.

It will operate in two slots on these days, a morning session from 11am - 1pm and an afternoon slot from 2pm - 4pm.

The unit has been vacant since the charity made the  "very hard decision" to close after years of service in the town.

The former Scope charity shop in Hitchin Market Place. (Image: Submitted) Debbie Boylen, head of retail at the disability equality charity, said: “We were very sad to close our charity shop in Market Place, Hitchin.

"We have had such incredible support from this wonderful and generous community.

"We never take the decision to close our stores lightly, recognising the impact it has on both our store teams, volunteers and our customers, so it was a very hard decision and not one we took lightly."

Read More: 

• Hitchin: Two drivers caught using phones at the wheel
• Winners of Kevin Bonavia Christmas card competition shared

According to Debbie, due to changes in the retail landscape in Hitchin the store "no longer remained viable" to trade.

This was highlighted by the cost of living crisis and the pandemic, which placed "enormous pressure" on stores trading on high streets across the UK.

“While providing a valuable service to the local community, our shops role is to raise vital funds so the charity can continue to provide vital support services for the country’s 16 million disabled people and their families," she added.