Generosity saves Scrooge’s House

AN historic North Yorkshire building where Charles Dickens was inspired to write his famous classic A Christmas Carol has been saved from closure after receiving local donations.

Malton’s Charles Dickens Society, which runs Scrooge’s Counting House on Chancery Lane, needed £2,000 by April to continue leasing the building from the Fitzwilliam Estate.

The future of the building was looking grim after the organisation, which runs the building on a voluntary basis, failed to attract financial backing.

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However, after reading about the society’s plight in the Yorkshire Post, Malton residents made a series of small donations and the target was finally reached.

Society secretary Linda McCarthy said: “It was the shot in the arm that we needed. We have raised enough money to pay the rent. We have to have a meeting to confirm we will open next year but members are feeling very positive about extending the lease.”

The society is now focusing on raising funds to improve facilities at the building, which has remained unchanged since 1843.