A charity shop supporting terminally ill patients is being kicked out of its home of 12 years “at very short notice”.

“Devastated” Pilgrims Hospice staff will be forced to leave the space at Canterbury Garden Centre in Chartham, where they have raised tens of thousands of pounds.

The site’s owners, Blue Diamond, recently terminated the shop’s tenancy, meaning heartbroken staff and volunteers must be out by January 13.

A spokesman for east Kent’s largest hospice charity says it is “regrettable” the “cherished” arrangement is ending.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of our concession within the Blue Diamond Garden Centre on the Stour Business Park at Chartham, effective Saturday, 13th January 2024.

“After more than 12 years as tenants, we have always cherished our positive working relationship with the garden centre and are grateful for the support of our loyal customers and patrons during this time.

“Regrettably, our tenancy has been terminated by the garden centre, as they intend to utilise the space we occupy for their own purposes.”

Speaking to KentOnline, volunteers offered “heartfelt gratitude” to customers and encouraged donations to the hospice’s furniture shop on the same industrial estate.

Based off the A28, it was the first charity shop in England to be sited as a concession inside a larger private business, according to the organisation.

Pat Wakeham, who has volunteered at the store since day one, said: “It's a flourishing shop.

“Me and the other staff and helpers have built up a really good customer base and it's just come out of the blue that they're not renewing the lease anymore.

“We are all very upset by it.”

Mrs Wakeham believes customers will be saddened to lose the shop, as the available parking and accompanying garden centre are conveniently placed.

She added: “Having volunteered here for 12 years, we are devastated that the shop is being forced to close.

“We are disappointed that Blue Diamond as a company could sort of discard us at very short notice as we are a local charity supporting the terminally ill.”

Garden centre boss Matt Thomson said: “A development opportunity has arisen for us to renovate the centre and this space is required to facilitate this development.

“This is so that Canterbury Garden Centre can be a successful and viable business for the future.

“We will ensure that we engage with the charity about how they can continue to raise money in the centre, as we do with many other local charities.

Mr Thomson says the charity will be moving their base of operations to the nearby furniture shop, but KentOnline has not been able to confirm this with the hospice.

He continued: “All being well the impact will be minimal, and we would like to thank the organisation for their time, support and co-operation over the years and wish them and their staff and volunteers the very best moving forward.”

Shoppers have expressed their sadness on social media following the news, with one person saying: “Absolutely terrible news, how short-sighted by the garden centre.

“I wonder how many customers go in for Pilgrim’s and then buy something in their store.

“I’ve loved this little shop over the years.”

Another commented: “It is such a lovely combination having a charity shop within a garden centre, two of my favourite things combined into one.

“Personally, this will affect my decision to visit the garden centre as I love the experience of having a browse in the charity shop, looking at the flowers then stopping for a coffee.

“Such a lovely shop, have got my daughter and myself many beautiful bargains in there over the years.”