A TOWN centre shop - which has raised nearly £2m for charity - is closing its doors after more than 30 years of trade.

Cancer Research UK, based in Barrow's Dalton Road, is shutting for the final time in March, it has been announced.

The store originally opened its doors to customers in October 1990 and has become a staple part of the Barrow town centre.

Since it opened three decades ago, the shop has raised £1,968,146 for Cancer Research.

A spokesman for the charity thanked the people of Barrow for supporting their local charity shop, and is urging customers to visit the nearest super store which is at Hindpool Park.

The spokesman revealed it was 'no longer viable' to keep the Dalton Street store open, which will officially close its doors on Saturday March 26.

Julia Stewardson, from Cancer Research UK, issued a heartfelt thanks to its staff and volunteers over the past three decades.

She said: “We’ve had some of the most amazing staff and volunteers in the Dalton Street shop and they have done a fantastic job over the last 31 years. I want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of them.

“Now, more than ever, we need to raise as much money as possible to fund our life-saving work, so I sincerely hope our customers will continue to support the charity.

“All are very welcome at our Barrow super store. It is in a great location and sells high quality items with all profits going to Cancer Research UK’s research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”

The Cancer Research charity store at Hindpool Retail Park offers a selection of clothing, accessories, books, DVDs and CDs, homewares, furniture and small electricals under one roof.

The store opened its doors to the public in February 2018, after taking over the former Brantano unit.

The next nearest Cancer Research store is the charity shop in King Street, Ulverston.

Between 2020 and 2021, Cancer Research raised £48m through trading activities in their 600 shops situated across the UK.