Cat charity fears for future amid market changes

A charity shop in Wellington’s historic market fears it could be forced to close its doors for good after being told earlier this month that there is no space for it in the upcoming refurbishment. 

Cats Protection, which has had a stall in the market for three years, was informed in the first week of August that the new layout does not include a permanent home for them, despite assurances that no traders would be kicked out of the market as a result of the refurbishment.

The stall is the only charity shop in the entire market.  The news has sparked concern, with Mark Pritchard MP writing to Telford and Wrekin Council to urge them to reconsider the decision.

Volunteer Elaine Marsh, who has been with the charity for four years, said the news was “devastating.” She added, “So many people come in for a chat and I’ll really miss it.”

Customer Jan said the charity “provides a fantastic service – her neighbour had over 25 cats and struggling to cope with them all – Cats Protection Telford arranged for them all to be neutered, health checked and rehomed”.

The stall, which currently pays £168 a week for its 10m x 4m space, provides a vital and regular source of income for the charity. Last year, the Telford and District branch rehomed 144 cats, a number which is on the increase. In July alone, it spent £6,000 on vet bills.

The charity operates a cattery at Chetwynd Firs, Newport, and its market presence helps to fund crucial services. These include a ‘community kitty’ that provides food for cats in need, a hardship fund for owners and a community hub for neutering advice and grief support.

Clare Trippett, Cats Protection Area Branch Development Manager, says: “The news that our Telford & District Branch will no longer have a home for their market stall will have a wide-reaching impact, not only the lives of cats locally but their owners too. 

“Over the past two years funds generated by the stall have enabled the branch volunteers to provide 22,385 meals for local cats in need when their owners were struggling; 1,862 cats in the district have been neutered, preventing unwanted litters of kittens and providing numerous health benefits to those cats; each year they find new homes for around 150 cats in addition to providing cat-focused information and advice to owners. They also work with Telford Crisis Support to ensure any donated school uniforms are available to those who need them most. 

“Our volunteers have given freely of their time and skills to create a thriving hub for cat-lovers and owners without which people and cats alike will suffer.”

Services set to be slashed

If the market stall closes, the charity states that all these services would have to be slashed. While ad hoc events could provide some funds, the market is open four days a week, providing a regular and reliable income. The market stall currently brings in around an average of £779 a month for the charity.

The council have suggested that the charity move to one of the council owned shops nearby. Cats Protection says it has a ‘no new shops’ policy and in any case, with a paid manager, paid assistant, and annual rent of £11,000 it would not be financially viable, even with grant assistance to help them move.

No date has been set for them to vacate the stall, but staff fear it could be just a couple a weeks and fear they will imminently have to cease taking donations to sell from customers.  

A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesperson said: “We recognise the great work that The Cats Protection League undertakes throughout Telford and have worked closely with the organisation, signposting them to other markets in the Borough of Telford and Wrekin, as well as identifying vacant retail premises in Wellington, including the  Market Annexe.

“We’re also exploring a possible Pride in Your High Street grant to help facilitate a move to another premises.

“The Cats Protection League is not prepared to move to a smaller stall than it currently occupies and was reluctant to move into a temporary location while the market works take place.

“Most traders have recognised that in order to assist with the market refurbishment, there has had to be some compromise in terms of temporary moves and size of stalls, and we are incredibly grateful for their cooperation and support. 

“We are still in discussion with the Cats Protection League to help them facilitate a move.

“This is a complex multi-million pound refurbishment project where we are trying to minimise disruption for 56 stalls as much as possible while we undertake the works.                                                                                                   

“In other areas markets have closed completely while refurbishments are undertaken but we are determined to keep traders here open as usual throughout.”

The Branch has set up a petition to help save their stall: https://www.change.org/saveourmarketstall