A SHOP and café in Wrexham which supports vulnerable members of the community is closing down amid spiralling energy bills and lower footfall.

The Baseline Matters shop and café, on Henblas Street, will be closing at the end of October.

Baseline Matters is a community interest company founded in 2017 to help young people and adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues - many of whom volunteer in the shop. 

As well as the charity shop and café, there is also a computer access section for anyone who needs to use one. It also played host to crafting and sewing groups.

During the Covid lockdown, it provided many meals to the vulnerable members in the community.

But the current hike in energy bills, as well as a decrease in footfall amid the current cost of living has left director, Denise Thomas, with "no choice" but to close the shop and café.

The Leader:

Denise said: "The government's proposed help is too late for us, and wouldn't help as the costs would still be too much for our café to bear. 

"We provide affordable homemade meals for people on a budget, so no profit was made before the price rises, but now we are running at a loss and cannot whilst we wait for the government to help. We have used our small reserves up now so are left with no choice. I feel more charities and businesses will be in the same position and will be on the brink of closure."

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Baseline Matters' electricity bill has quadrupled since August, and is experiencing lower footfall due to the UK economic situation.

Denise said: "I am so sad and sorry to have to do this, as Baseline was providing the services it was set out to do and it was proven time and time again a much-needed place for people to come and eat healthy for less, use our computer access/printing services and as a place to gain communication and work skills for those that we are set out to support.

"I would like to thank my volunteers from the bottom of my heart for all the work they have done. Also all the people who have supported us and myself along the way.

"I really wouldn’t have been able to do it without you all."

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The café will cease providing hot meals from Tuesday (October 11) but will still be able to do scones, toast and drinks for a while after that or until the kitchen is decommissioned. The computers will also be unavailable after Tuesday.

Denise expressed sadness for the many vulnerable people who volunteer there. 

She said: "That is what we are set up for. They came and volunteered gaining communication and life/work skills. I feel so sorry to let them all down.

"There are less and less places providing services like this now. I set it up in the first place as my son is on the autism spectrum and I knew once he was 16 places to go were few and far between."