A CHARITY shop in Poole will be closing next year amid increasing demand for the hospice services it raises money for.

The Secret Wardrobe, which is located on the first floor of the Dolphin Shopping Centre, will be shutting its doors at the end of March.

More than 30 volunteers work at the shop, which was opened six years ago by Forest Holme Hospice – a consultant-led NHS palliative care unit for people with cancer and other life-limiting conditions.

The charity said its board of trustees made the “very difficult decision” to close the store “having considered all the factors likely to affect the shop in the future”.

“Demand for the hospice’s services is increasing each year, so we need to make the most of every pound we spend on raising funds,” the charity said.

Anne Currie, charity manager, added: “The shop has always been profitable but we have to allocate our expenditure in other areas.

“We’ve had 32 incredible volunteers working at the shop, and two are happy to work there until it closes.”

The Secret Wardrobe opened in October 2012 and set itself apart from other charity shops for its boutique atmosphere, selling vintage clothes and even running its own designer dress agency.

Many donations have come from bereaved families wanting their relative’s clothes to make money for the hospice.

The charity thanked all its volunteers, customers and the Dolphin Centre in announcing its closure.

In a statement, a Forest Holme spokesman said: “The decision is not one we have taken lightly and we want to express our gratitude to everyone who has helped the shop over the past six years.

“Our staff have been fantastic and the Dolphin Shopping Centre and Big Yellow Storage have given enormous support.

“We fully appreciate this will be disappointing news for many. We would like to thank everyone connected with The Secret Wardrobe for being so understanding in difficult circumstances.

“However, we are determined to go out on a high, so until the end of March next year it will be business as usual, although we would kindly request no more donations as we want to focus on selling the stock generously gifted to us to date.”