RSPB to shut 'loss-making' nature reserve shop

The RSPB has said its shop at a Kent nature reserve will close in the new year because it can no longer afford to run “loss-making facilities”.

RSPB Dungeness is one of the charity’s oldest surviving nature reserves and is a favourite among birdwatchers to see dramatic aerobatic displays by swallows, swifts and martins during the spring and autumn months.

But the charity announced it would be closing the on-site shop after reviewing its operations across the UK.

It confirmed it would continue to own and manage the Dungeness reserve and that the visitor centre would remain open.

In a statement, it said: “As a charity, it is essential that we generate income to fund our work.

“We cannot afford to subsidise loss-making facilities at the expense of our important charitable and strategic aims, especially at a time when nature and [the] climate are in crisis.

“This means that we will be closing the site shop at Dungeness early in the new year. There may also be some changes to the visitor centre and shop opening times in the coming weeks.”

The charity said it would be consulting visitors to the centre in the coming weeks about how best to use the space.

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