Charity shops pull out
Chamber of Commerce president Adrian Corbin said his organisation had predicted this would happen some time ago.
'If there are ten of one type of shop in a town this size they can't all survive selling the same stuff. This was inevitable,' said Mr Corbin.
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Hide AdThe two charities withdrawing are Shelter at 100 High Street, which opened about three years ago and Cancer Research UK at 106 High Street which opened in 1987.
A spokesman for Shelter said they were selling the shop as part of an overall business review. They were not getting the income that Shelter would expect from trading in a shop that size, despite the great efforts of volunteers to whom they said a big thank you.
Area manager for Cancer Research UK, Pat Palmer said: 'With nine other charity shops in the town the Uckfield branch was simply not as effective as some of our other outlets locally. However, with branches in Lewes, Heathfield and Crowborough we are confident that we will be able to continue our relationship with Uckfield branch staff, volunteers and supporters.'