The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has confirmed the first round of store closures, with 87 branches set to permanently shut in the coming months. The charity plans to close approximately 150 shops over the next two years as part of a restructuring of its retail presence.
More than 600 BHF shops currently operate across the UK, but increasing running costs and evolving consumer behaviours have prompted the closure decision. The initial phase of closures is expected to be completed by March 2027, with the full 150 closures by March 2028.
Wales Affected by Six Closures
Six of the 87 locations are in Wales, including stores in Wrexham, Swansea, and Bangor. The full list of Welsh closures includes:
- Aberdare, 8 Commercial Street, CF44
- Bangor, Unit 5, The Menai Shopping Centre, LL57
- Llanelli (Home Store), 13 Vaughan Street, SA15
- Rhyl, 42 High Street, LL18
- Swansea, 234 Oxford Street, SA1
- Wrexham (Home Store), 31 Regent Street, LL11
Charity's Response and Support for Staff
British Heart Foundation chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: "Our shops mean so much to our colleagues, brilliant volunteers and communities across the UK. Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment." She added that the charity is grateful to staff and volunteers affected by the closures and said workers would be supported throughout the process. Impacted staff members are anticipated to be offered redeployment options wherever feasible, while volunteers will be offered positions at neighbouring shops or elsewhere within the organisation.
Full List of 87 Closures
The complete list of BHF stores closing in the first phase includes locations across England, Scotland, and Wales. Among them are Armley, Aberdare, Alfreton, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Abingdon, Ashbourne, Bedworth, Burnley, Blyth, Beckenham, Balham, Barnet, Bath, Brighton (Home Store), Bangor, Blackpool, Cannock, Clacton, Coalville, Christchurch, Cleveleys, Consett, Chorley, Camden, Crawley (Home Store), Chesterfield, Chatham (Home Store), Dunstable, Durham, Dumfries, Dewsbury, Dalkeith, Dumfries (Home Store), Eastbourne, Elgin, Eccles, Finchley, Falmouth, Fulham, Fakenham, Formby, Grays, High Wycombe, Hawick, Harlow, Hammersmith, Huyton, Hornchurch, Helston, Holsworthy, Hartlepool (Home Store), Harpurhey (Home Store), Hull (Home Store), Hereford, Harrow (Home Store), Ilkeston, Keighley, Kendal, Long Eaton, Long Eaton (Home Store), Llanelli (Home Store), Minehead, Newbury, Newton Aycliffe, New Milton, Nuneaton (Home Store), Newport, Ormskirk, Plymouth, Poole (Home Store), Perry Barr (Home Store), Rhyl, Rayleigh, Shrewsbury, Spalding, South Shields, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Swansea, Salford (Home Store), Salisbury, Sutton Coldfield, Uckfield, West Bromwich (CLR), Worksop (Home Store), and Wrexham (Home Store).
