An organisation that helps the homeless and vulnerable is set to move to a town centre location due to a lack of custom at its previous village store.

The Bus Shelter has closed its shop in Faulkeners Way in Trimley St Mary in preparation for its move to the former Burton menswear store in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.

The shop is set to be officially launched on Saturday, October 19 and will stock a similar range to the Trimley store, albeit in larger premises.

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Gareth Brenland, co-founder of The Bus Shelter, pictured in 2017Gareth Brenland, co-founder of The Bus Shelter, pictured in 2017 (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown) Gareth Brenland, co-founder of The Bus Shelter, said he hoped the move would bring in more customers.

The Community Interest Company (CIC) opened in Trimley in 2019, but had experienced some difficult times, especially being closed during the Covid pandemic.

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Mr Brenland said: "Unfortunately, due to the footfall in Trimley and the rent increase, it just wasn't feasible.

"We weren't taking enough money to cover the shop and provide the various services that we offer."

The former Burton menswear store in Hamilton Road in Felixstowe closed in 2021The former Burton menswear store in Hamilton Road in Felixstowe closed in 2021 (Image: Archant) The company's lease on the Faulkeners Way premises ended on Thursday.

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"We did not have enough funds coming in. The money's tight and hopefully the move to the town centre will increase that and will give us scope to do more," Mr Brenland added.

The Hamilton Road shop will be open from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday and will stock clothes, homeware, books and DVDs, among other items.

The company also operates outreach programmes for the homeless, including Ipswich buses that provide accommodation for rough sleepers.

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"It is pretty much exactly the same as Trimley, but obviously we can offer more in the way of support for people," Mr Brenland added.

The former Burton unit has stood empty since the clothes shop closed in February 2021 after failing to reopen following lockdowns during the pandemic.