A CHARITY shop forced to close to make way for a coffee shop looks set to find a new home.

Loyal customers reacted angrily when it emerged in July the St Luke’s Hospice shop, in Wickford High Street, was being forced out by the Costa Coffee chain.

The owner of the building, next to the Iceland supermarket, originally gave the hospice justamonth’s notice.

However, it looks as if the shop will remain for the next few weeks thanks to a shortterm a lease extension.

St Luke’s officials also say they now hope to sign the lease on a town centre shop, the location of which has yet to be revealed.

David Harrison, councillor for Wickford Park, is confident the arrival of the national coffee chain will give the town centre a muchneeded boost.

He added: “It’s great for Wickford to get a big name like this and shows the town is on the up.

“I have been working hard and talking to other companies, such as Wetherspoons and the Home Retail Group, which owns Argos, to ask them to follow.

“It’s sad St Luke’s has had to move after so long, but it’s good news it seems to have found somewhere else to go.

“Charity shops have a place in the High Street, but we need to make sure they don’t dominate.”

The Wickford hospice shop opened in 1997 and specialises in furniture, clothes, books, DVDs, CDs and jewellery.

It helps contribute to the £3million a year St Luke’s, needs to fund its work, caring for adults with life-limiting illnesses.

The hospice’s Marilyn DeBattista said: “We have identified an alternative property in Wickford town centre, but are still in the process of negotiating terms and contracts.

“Therefore, I cannot confirm anything at the present.

We are hopeful of being able to do so soon.”