An “abandoned” charity shop is to be sold at auction - just days after it was confirmed it had been shut for good.

Save the Children in Union Street, Maidstone, has been there since the 1980s but it closed during the pandemic and never reopened.

Earlier this month, KentOnline reported concerns that “donations were gathering dust” after being contacted by Maidstone resident Julie Sibley.

Other residents also voiced their outrage that the shop had apparently been abandoned.

At the time, Kate Bishop, director of retail brand and strategy for the charity, said all sellable donations had been transferred - and that it would not be reopening.

But when our reporter visited, the window display was packed full of jewellery, games and clothing.

Since then, there has been a flurry of activity, with the shop windows being blacked out and the removal of Save the Children’s modern branding to reveal an old sign.

This week, a sign from property agency Savills was put up telling of its listing for auction on October 8.

The three-storey property has a guide price of £105,000.

Property developer, Gary Peters, who lives in Union Street, said he wanted to buy it at auction.

The 54-year-old said: “I would start work on it tomorrow and put it back to a house because that’s what it was originally.”

Anne, who did not wish to give her last name, served as a volunteer at the shop for 12 years.

She said working there had been a “pleasant experience” but she had hoped it would remain open.

The Maidstone resident said: “The shop was very helpful to the people living in the area, as we were out of the town we weren’t as expensive as some of the town centre charity shops.

“We did a service to the customers as well as raising money.

“I would like it to be open and the volunteers I have spoken to have said what a shame it is that it has closed.”

Save the Children has been contacted for a comment.