A VITAL West Cumbria charity has announced that it will cease to operate from this week - but there are hopes that a 'phoenix from the ashes' may rise to fill the void its closure will cause amongst the elderly in the area.

Age UK West Cumbria said it will cease trading from tomorrow, May 31 after a number of 'financial challenges' in recent years.

The closure will see seven shops in towns such as Workington, Cockermouth and Wigton close, as well as the end of all the charity's services.

A spokesman for Age UK West Cumbria said: “Age UK West Cumbria has faced a number of financial challenges and unfortunately the Board of Trustees have made the difficult decision to cease operating after Friday, May 31, meaning that the charity is no longer able to continue offering services to older people across West Cumbria.

“We are sad and disappointed that it has come to this. As you would expect our number one priority is how we can now best support older people in the area and we are now looking at the best way this can be achieved locally.

“We are mindful that this news will be upsetting for the older people that we support, as well as our staff, volunteers and stakeholders."

Following the announcement, a group of ex-Age UK West Cumbria employees have set up a Just Giving page in the hopes of starting a new charity, Cumbria CommuniTea Care, which would seek to provide a day service in Workington run by 'the staff that the service users know and love'.

Former Workington MP and parliamentary candidate Mark Jenkinson said: "I’m disappointed to see the closure of Age UK West Cumbria, as I know too will many of my constituents.

"The loss of the services away from the trading will be the loss that is felt most acutely - I know a number of locals relied on the day services and help with benefits, etc.

"I understand that there is some effort to create a ‘phoenix from the ashes’ as it were. I stand ready to assist any constituent looking for somewhere to turn, and indeed that potential new charity."

The closure announcement has had a knock-on effect on other third sector organisations such as Together We, a mental health support charity, which shared premises with Age UK West Cumbria in recent years.

A spokesman from Together We said: "We are saddened to hear that Age UK WC will be closing at the end of next week. As their partner third sector agency our hearts go out to all involved, team members and the community who use the service.

"Together We share a number of premises with AgeUK. Therefore, we feel it's important that we update on our services. Currently we expect minimal disruption to our delivery.

"All other services of Together We are unaffected."

The charity run Together Fitness older adult sessions and mental health fitness sessions which are based in Workington, they have announced these will pause for a few weeks while Together We find a new premises.

Following the Age UK West Cumbria closure announcement, an appeal was launched by Lee Gray from the charity's retail arm. In a statement posted on Facebook, Lee wrote: “If anyone has any job vacancies for retail managers, retail assistants or retail volunteers please could you contact me ASAP.

“Our retail staff have been with the company for many years. Their dedication and support for the organisation has been a great asset over the years. There’s a lot of talent within my team that you could benefit from.”

Carlisle and Eden Age UK confirmed following the news that they are not impacted by the other closures of Age UK stores in west Cumbria, and are continuing to deliver services.