Sweet charity turns sour as volunteers shut up shop THE city's thriving Imperial Cancer Research Shop closed its doors this week after 68 volunteers walked out in protest at plans to install a salaried manager. The staff, many of whom have suffered with cancer or have loved ones with the disease, took the decision after the national charity appointed a full-time, paid manager to take over the running of the Market Street shop. The volunteers organised a meeting at the Dolly Blue Tavern on Monday where they expressed their concern at the appointment of a manager which will cost the charity about £10,000 a year - cash which they claim would be better spent on research.

The decision to withdraw their support was unanimous though many of the volunteers, some of whom have worked for the shop since it opened eight years ago, expressed regret at having to take such drastic action.

Eyvonne Beal, who has managed the shop for the last 18 months, said: "This is not what any of us want but we were told the decision to bring in a paid manager had been made and that was it. I have cancer and a lot of the volunteers know people who have suffered and that's why we give up our time. We are all hoping that once the issue gets to the top it will be sorted out.

"We are very aware of how much research into cancer costs and paying a manager £10,000 will result in a large loss of revenue."

But Maureen Harrison, the charity's retail director for the north west, said the decision was based on sound reasoning and added that Mrs Beal had been invited to apply for the post but had declined.

"I can understand how the volunteers feel," she explained.

"But research has shown us that there is tremendous potential available at shops like the one in Lancaster and we also know that the best way to realise this potential is to use a full-time manager.

"We believe that an uplift in revenue could far outweigh the salary cost and we hope the new manager will revitalise and motivate the staff. We would like those volunteers who feel strongly to think about their actions and consider coming back. We are all in the business of raising as much money for the charity as we can."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.