AN Oswestry-based community interest company (CIC) is to close down this month.

CHALK CIC in Leg Street is set to shut its doors to the public for the last time after its owners have taken the decision to cease services and trading from the shop because of unsustainability.

The company issued a statement on their Facebook page describing the 'difficult decision' to close and thanked those who have supported it since it started in 2015.

"CHALK has had its ups and downs but we have always tried our very best," they said.

"Wendy and Gemma have put their personal lives in jeopardy as they have not been able to take a salary and that is not sustainable – therefore we have made the very difficult decision to close CHALK.

"We have loved being part of it and enjoyed being able to help people in whichever way we can.

"Everyone has gone above and beyond and we can’t thank our supporters and volunteers enough for allowing us to continue providing vital services.

"Since the founding of CHALK, which began in January 2015 with four friends discussing how we could positively support the community of Oswestry it has become a vital support system.

"Prior to opening we held our first Open House Community Christmas and recognised the high levels of poverty and isolation – we saw there was a need for more support in the community and went about providing it.

"In the last four and a half years CHALK, its staff, volunteers and supporters have provided services to the community which have changed peoples lives.

"We have supported the homeless, people living in poverty, people who are isolated and lonely as well being an integral part of the community where people can always come for help.

"Our volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly to do the very best for Oswestry, to be here for our community when no one else is."

Despite the closure, the team are keen to reassure people that anything that has already been sold will be delivered and any commissions that have been started will be completed.

"We will be selling everything to ensure we can close without any debts, so come grab a bargain," they added.

"We will still be continuing with Open House Community Christmas Day and delivering gifts and food, so the CHALK [Facebook] page will remain open for questions and registrations."

Donations will no longer be taken, but once storage has been found to store gifts for Christmas, the team will update everyone on the process of donating.

They continued: "For everyone who has ever bought anything from us, to everyone who has donated items or money, to those who have given their time to volunteer or raise money for us, to the organisations and churches who have supported us, to the community who have recognised our work and always supported our crazy ideas – we thank you."