7 hours ago
Self Help Africa to close its shops in Northern Ireland
The charity Self Help Africa has announced it will close all its shops in Northern Ireland.
It has nine shops across the north, including three in Belfast.
CEO Feargal O'Connell said the charity's retail network "faced a challenging time" since the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, he said: "We review our stores regularly, including income and volunteer numbers.
"Unfortunately, since the pandemic, we have struggled to return our shops to the profitability of the past.
"They require a level of investment that the organisation is not in a position to provide."
Mr O'Connell also thanked the staff and volunteers working in the shops for their "hard work and commitment over many years".
The charity said its shops in the Republic will continue to operate.
