A hospice charity supported by Queen Camilla has announced the closure of one of its shops, citing mounting financial pressures that have hit the sector. Prospect Hospice, which provides care for patients across North Wiltshire, confirmed the closure in a statement shared with Hello! Magazine.
Camilla has been the charity’s president since 2013 and has frequently visited its facilities. “The decision to close has not been an easy one, but continued financial pressures across the charity sector, including rising costs and changing shopping habits, mean Prospect Hospice has to focus our resources where they can have the greatest impact on funding patient care,” the charity said.
Stuart Necrews, Head of Commercial Income at Prospect Hospice, acknowledged the impact of the closure on supporters. “We are so thankful to the staff, volunteers, donors, and customers who have supported this shop over the years,” he said. “Closing the doors is not a decision we wanted to make, but it is a necessary one to ensure we can continue providing outstanding care to local people at the end of their lives.”
The hospice relies heavily on donations and retail operations to fund its services, which focus on providing end-of-life care. Rising operational costs and shifting consumer habits have added strain to its income sources.
Queen Camilla most recently visited the hospice in Wroughton in January, where she unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the charity’s anniversary. Speaking at the event, she praised the dedication of the staff and emphasized the importance of sustaining such facilities.
“Every time I come here, I come away feeling so impressed and feeling so lucky actually, that Wiltshire has something like this to look after people who are at the end of their life,” she said.
She added, “As I’ve said time and time again, I wish we could clone these places because there aren’t nearly enough. We just have to keep them going. I know a lot of people help out, but we need a lot more help than that.”
The closure reflects broader challenges facing charities across the UK, many of which are grappling with rising energy bills, higher costs, and changing donation patterns. For Prospect Hospice, leaders stress that the decision is aimed at ensuring resources are directed toward its core mission of patient care, even as fundraising remains difficult.