A CHARITY shop has received the backing of more than 700 customers as it tries to safeguard its future in Marlow.

As reported in the Free Press, staff at the Oxfam shop in the High Street said it was under threat after being offered a lease which leaves the shop open to redevelopment.

The charity, which has been in Marlow for 37 years, said it had a promise of a ten-year lease by landlords, the Michael Shanly Group, revoked just months after it was offered.

It said it was then offered a five-year lease with a clause which means it could be redeveloped after just 12 months.

It has not decided whether to accept this.

But now staff have taken matters into their own hands and launched a petition to save the shop.

After just ten days they have received more than 700 signatures of support even from customers outside Marlow.

They are now planning to hand over the petition to the Michael Shanly Group to help guarantee their future in the town.

Ellen Ludlow, 26, manager of the shop, said: "It would be nice if they decided they felt they didn't want to redevelop after all and we could have our lease. If not and they want to redevelop the building, we hope they will give the lease back afterwards.

"If it takes 12 to 18 months we will have to go somewhere temporarily, but we would look to be granted our shop back afterwards. "

Mrs Ludlow, who has worked at the shop for four years, said she was struck by the amount of support people had given Oxfam.

She said: "I hoped that they would support us but it has been overwhelming. Many people have supported us and I didn't realise that a lot of people travel to Marlow especially over the weekend.

"We have people from Maidenhead and Slough and near to London."

Oxfam is still looking to open a bookshop next door in the unit left by kitchen retailer, Alison Townsend.

It previously said this plan was also halted by landlords.

The Michael Shanly group previously said Oxfam was not under threat and it was hopeful of a positive outcome for both parties.