A 'BELOVED' charity shop that has been serving the Tadley community for 15 years has now closed its doors permanently.

Helping Hands, in Franklin Avenue, Tadley is a registered charity and opened its shop in November 2007.

Money raised from the shop, which sells preloved items, is distributed to groups, clubs, and charitable organisations via the charity's grants committee.

The staff at the shop posted on Facebook on Thursday, November 30 to announce the closure.

Basingstoke Gazette: The Helping Hands shop on Franklin Avenue is a registered charity and the shop opened in November

READ MORE: Helping Hands in Tadley has closed

The post reads: "Helping Hands In Tadley Charity shop (Charity Number: 1126381) is now closed permanently. It is with a heavy heart and deepest sadness that our beloved charity is now closed.

"The shop has given an amazing service to the community of Tadley for the last 15 years.

"Thank you to all of those who have supported the shop, in every different way, from trustees, paid staff, volunteers and of course all the lovely local customers and those who come from far and wide.

"A very sad day for the whole community."

The news comes after staff posted on Facebook in October to say the shop would close for "the foreseeable future".

Customers responded to the news to express their sadness and shock.

Anne Hutchison posted: "A real loss to the community. Everyone who has ever been involved with Helping Hands over the years deserve a massive thank you for everything you’ve done for us over the years. I just hope something similar can replace it that will be able to serve the community in a really positive way. "

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Helen Halliday also posted and said "it is incredibly sad news" and branded the closure as the "end of an era".

Meanwhile, Kerri Elizabeth Carruthers posted to share some of her favourite memories of the shop.

It reads: "This is so sad to hear. I have many happy memories of walking my children to Helping Hands in the school holidays to pick a book or a toy or to drop off things they no longer used. Such a wonderful charity that donated to so many local causes. It will be sadly missed."

It is not clear why the shop has had to close. 

The shop has been contacted for further comment.