Sorrow as Oxfam shuts up shop in Dundalk forever
The shock decision by Oxfam Ireland to close its charity shop and pull out of Dundalk after over four decades in town came as a huge blow to volunteers,
Ninety-one year old Jean Newell from Fatima Drive was one of the longest serving volunteers and says she and the other volunteers were ‘very sad’ to learn that the shop was closing.
‘We only found out after Christmas as the shop manager Marie Neary had been told not to tell us before then,’ says Jean.
The great great grandmother began volunteering over twenty years ago. ‘I remember being up down on my bike one day and as my children were all big and at school, I went in to the shop and asked about volunteering. I then went to a meeting with a neighbour and from then on I was a volunteer and loved it.’
Oxfam first operated its Dundalk charity shop out of Church Street in the former women’s department of O’Connells. It then moved to premises at 31 Clanbrassil Street where it traded successfully for several years before the shop was extensively damaged by fire two and a half years ago.
Temporary premises were found at 31 Clanbrassil Street but these had a number of health and safety issues, resulting in Oxfam deciding to close down its Dundalk operations at the end of December.
‘We had a great group of volunteers, all women, and we made lifelong friends. A lot of the volunteers have been there for 15 to 20 years, ’says Jean. She questioned the charity’s decision to pull out of Dundalk, noting that the lease on the premises at 31 Clanbrassil Street runs until 2025.
‘I loved going in to work in the shop and I’m lost without it,’ she confesses.
She adds that the volunteers had got to know the customers down the year and they too were very disappointed when they heard the shop had closed.
‘We had wonderful customers and so many of them came in and said they were so sorry that the shop was closing.’
‘We got great support from local people who were very generous in donating items to us over the years.’
The friendships forged between the volunteers was so strong that they are now planning to meet up on a regular basis.
In a statement to The Argus, Oxfam said that as the shop had faced difficult trading conditions in recent years and as a result, it became harder to raise the necessary funds to cover overheads. ‘After exploring all other options, it made financial sense to close the shop,’ Oxfam said, adding that it was not possible too move back to the original unit as this building is in administration and is not a viable option.’
‘Once the decision was made, we informed the shop manager immediately and met with the volunteers to explain, answer any questions they might have and offer them other opportunities.
‘We are extremely grateful for the hard work and dedication of the shop manager and volunteers over the years as well as for the generosity shown by the people of Dundalk and Co. Louth. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the shop manager, volunteers and local community.’