A CHARITY is closing its shop in Bridport after seeing a drop in footfall.

The Julia's House shop in West Street will shut its doors on March 28, when its lease expires. The charity will also close its shop in Blandford in September.

Julia's House's remaining shops will continue to trade as normal.

The closure is due to footfall at the Bridport shop having dropped over the past few years, despite being kept freshly stocked with clothes and items by volunteers.

Tracey Stanley, the charity's retail manager, said: "It has been a difficult decision to make as these shops have been at the heart of their communities for many years and have done a fantastic job of fundraising and promoting the work of Julia’s House.

“Many small charity shops are struggling in these tough economic times and our responsibility has to lie with making the most of every donation and of the time given so generously by the volunteers who help to man our shops."

She added: “We are working with the teams in both shops to look at redeployment opportunities but in meantime we hope people will still pop in and offer their support by shopping and donating goods.

“Fortunately for us we have thriving, active friends’ groups are in both Bridport and Blandford and a team of amazing volunteers who are wonderful ambassadors and fundraisers for Julia’s House and play a vital role in enabling us to be a continuing presence in those towns.”

Julia’s House shops in Dorchester, Wimborne, Christchurch, Bransgore, Wallisdown, Poole and its flagship store and warehouse at Creekmoor continue to operate and will remain unchanged.

The charity’s Broadstone shop recently moved to bigger premises in the same road and has undergone a makeover to give it a more upmarket, boutique feel. The store is proving to be a big hit popular with customers since it was opened by Julia’s House patron Debra Stephenson.

Weymouth’s shop will be also be getting a makeover and moving to new premises in the town when its lease expires later this year.

For more information about donating goods and to find your nearest shop, visit juliashouse.org