BOSSES at a national charity have confirmed the closure of a café, shop and other visitor facilities at a borough nature site.

As reported on Thurrock Nub News in November the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which is plagued by financial difficulties, has been reviewing its operations and the closure of parts of its visitor centre, including the café, at Rainham Marshes, adjacent to Purfleet-on-Thames, has now been confirmed.

The nature reserve between the Thames and the A13 is home to a diverse range of bird species, wetland plants and insects. Historically it had been medieval grazing land - an increasingly rare habitat in Britain.

The RSPB has now confirmed its plans to downgrade facilities at the multi-award winning site, saying: "RSPB Rainham Marshes Café and Shop will be permanently closing at the end of business on Sunday, 2 February.

The centre's café.

"We will temporarily be closing the top half of the Visitor Centre for the whole of February while this area is reconfigured.

"The reserve trails and the toilets will be open as normal but entry will temporarily be via the side of the building through the garden gate. 

"Our Welcome Area will be moved to the downstairs classroom during February.

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"We would like to express our wholehearted thanks to our café and retail staff and volunteers, past and present, and everyone who has visited our café and shop over the years."