The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has announced it will shut 150 of its charity shops over the next two financial years. The move is part of a strategy to strengthen the charity’s remaining retail network and ensure it continues to fund vital cardiovascular research.
Around 90 stores are expected to close by the end of March 2025, with the remaining 60 closing by March 2028. The closures represent just under a quarter of BHF’s 640 outlets. Staff cuts in the charity’s centralised retail operation are also being made.
Despite the closures, the charity insists its overall finances remain healthy, with strong performance in fundraising and legacy income. Its online retail operations, including sales through eBay and its website, will continue unaffected.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, BHF Chief Executive, said: “We know this will be a difficult time for our dedicated colleagues and volunteers in affected stores… Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment. We must take the difficult step to close some of our shops to sustain retail’s important contribution to funding BHF’s ground-breaking research.”
Among the stores confirmed for closure are branches in Chesterfield, Dumfries (home store), and Harpurhey (home store). A full list of affected locations is expected to be published in due course.
