Kenilworth RSPCA shop to close due to ‘£3,000 rent hike’

An RSPCA shop in the town will soon close after being told the rent will rise by £3,000. Staff said the hugely popular Kenilworth branch will close for good in August.

Bosses said a 10-year lease was due to be renewed on August 31 but they “cannot commit” after being told they would have to pay an extra £3,000 a year to stay in the building from Abbey End. It will now close in August, a decision they say was made with a “heavy heart”.

Donations are no longer being accepted and items have been reduced by 50% ahead of the upcoming closure, it is understood. Rightmove has advertised the building, with the unit available to rent for an annual fee of £27,500.

READ MORE: Three injured after being hit by car in Coventry

Customers have now been told to visit the RSPCA in Leamington Spa. “Enthusiastic” volunteers are also wanted for the Regent Street branch.

In a statement, the RSPCA said: “It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce the closure of the RSPCA in Kenilworth. We cannot commit to granting the ten-year lease with the proposed £3,000 per annum increase in rent.”

He continued: “The RSPCA will continue to operate their store on Regent Street in Leamington Spa, so we will be focusing on raising as much money as possible to help animals in the local area through the store. It has been renovated and has more space than we have in Kenilworth.

“We really hope that shoppers will come and have a look at us in our new surroundings and grab a bargain too! We welcome your donations and are always looking to welcome new volunteers with a passion for animal welfare to help with a wide range of roles.

“We are hugely grateful to everyone who supported our work through the Kenilworth charity shop, to everyone who worked there and to everyone who volunteered.”

Sign up here for our FREE daily newsletter for all the latest news on Coventry.