St Elizabeth’s charity to close high-end boutique in Florence Walk, Bishop’s Stortford

A rent rise and the popularity of online marketplaces for buying and selling second-hand clothes were among the factors that has led to a charity deciding to close its high-end boutique in Bishop’s Stortford.

St Elizabeth’s – which runs a school for children aged 5-19 and a college for people aged 16-25 with epilepsy and other complex conditions at its base at Perry Green, near Much Hadham – is closing the shop in Florence Walk. Its last trading day will be Thursday December 5.

The shop offers designer labels – including Mint Velvet, Phase Eight, Mango, Reiss, Karen Millen, Burberry, Zara, Gant, Ralph Lauren, Carvela, Super Dry and All Saints – and other top-quality goods.

Kat Pulford, the charity’s head of retail and community engagement, told the Indie on Monday: “The lease for our shop in Florence Walk recently came up for renewal, and due to a combination of the cost of living crisis and the proposed increase in rent, we had no alternative but to reach the decision not to renew the lease in December.

“We recognise that the market for second-hand clothing and items is ever changing, and with the growing popularity of [online] platforms like Vinted and eBay, we are not receiving the amount of high-end donations we once had to sustain our shop and ensure the charity benefits.”

Kat added: “We are really grateful for the support received from our local community and invite our customers to visit one of our five other shops across Herts and Essex to drop off donations and shop.

“Our nearest shops in Harlow are going from strength to strength and, as well as offering a wide range of clothing, we are delighted to be hosting some of the individuals we support as part of their work experience in the community.”

Addressing the lack of a presence in the town, Kat said: “Our head of retail and executive team are regularly reviewing and discussing new opportunities in Bishop’s Stortford and we hope to once again have a presence on the high street in the future.”

Kat said St Elizabeth’s was going from strength to strength, with 20 new children welcomed to the school in September and the success of its weekly community bus. And it has found a place for children from Mencap centre Grove Cottage’s nursery while their home in Stortford is being demolished and rebuilt.

As well as two branches in Harlow, St Elizabeth’s also has shops in Saffron Walden, Ware and Hoddesdon.