A major UK charity shop chain that has 640 stores nationwide has announced it will be closing many of its sites for good.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF), which operates 640 stores UK-wide, has revealed it is set to shut 150 of its locations.
Bosses say the decision follows “rising operating costs and changing customer habits”, which means that some shops and stores are “no longer financially sustainable”.
UK charity British Heart Foundation announces 150 closures
The closures of the 150 stores will happen over the next two financial years.
The BHF have proposed closing around 90 stores by the end of March 2027, and the remainder by March 2028.
There is also a proposed reduction in the central teams and functions that support the charity’s retail operation.
The BHF stressed that its overall financial position “remains healthy” with “continuing strong performance across fundraising and legacy income”.
It adds that it will continue to operate a large national network of shops and online retail channels, including eBay and its website.
It will also “continue to evolve retail operations to reflect changing customer shopping behaviours and donor habits in the years ahead”.
BHF Chief Executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: “Our shops mean so much to our colleagues, brilliant volunteers and communities across the UK.
“They are places where people come together to donate, shop and volunteer, helping to make a real difference to lives affected by cardiovascular disease.
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A post shared by The British Heart Foundation (@the_bhf)
“We know this will be a difficult time for our dedicated colleagues and volunteers in affected stores and emphasise our deep appreciation and gratitude for all they have done for BHF and the communities they serve.
“Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the UK’s biggest killers and our priority is funding research to save lives.
“We must take the difficult step to close some of our shops to sustain retail’s important contribution to funding BHF’s groundbreaking research.”
The locations of the shops and stores earmarked for closure will be shared once colleagues affected have been personally notified of the proposals, the BHF added.
Barnardo’s also shutting stores in UK
The BHF is not the only UK charity that is being forced to shut stores.
Barnardo’s, which operates more than 500 stores UK-wide, shut more branches last month, following a series of closures across the country.
The Kirkham store in Lancashire closed for good on Friday, May 15, which followed the Chippenham store that shut down on Saturday, May 2.
The Bishop’s Stortford branch closed later in the month, on Sunday, May 24.
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A post shared by Barnardo’s (@barnardos_uk)
Factors behind the closures include the growing popularity of online resale platforms, rising costs and weaker consumer spending.
Mark Gregory, Managing Director of Barnardo’s Trading Company, said: “In the last few years, there’s been huge challenges for the UK high street, including increased operating costs for shops and reduced consumer spending, related to the economy and the cost-of-living crisis.
“The rise in online platforms selling pre-loved clothing has impacted on the income of charity shops.
“Our shops provide vital income for our work with children, young people and families across the UK.
“We regularly review performance and, where stores are not generating a positive contribution that we can invest in our work to change childhoods and change lives, then we have to make the difficult decision to close them.
“We are extremely grateful to all the wonderful colleagues who work in our shops, and especially to our incredible volunteers, to members of the public who make generous donations, and to everyone who shops with us whether on your local high street or online.”
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