British Heart Foundation set to close 150 charity shops amid rising costs
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) plans to close around 150 charity shops over the next two years, citing an 'exceptionally challenging trading environment'. Around 90 shops are to close by the end of March next year, with the remainder set to shut by March 2028.A spokeswoman for the BHF told This is Money that the location of the planned shop closures had not been disclosed. The spokeswoman for the charity said the location of the 90 shops closing by March 2027 would be put up on its website 'in the coming weeks' once each shop affected had been informed. The charity said it would release the location of shops due to close in the following financial year in April 2027. Local information will also be posted in shops affected, the spokeswoman added.The BHF said there would also be cuts to its central teams and functions which support the retail arm but did not disclose how many workers would be affected. Shop closures: The British Heart Foundation plans to close around 150 charity shops over the next two yearsWhy is the British Heart Foundation closing shops? The BHF said rising operational costs and shifting consumer habits meant certain shops were 'no longer financially sustainable'.The charity insisted its overall financial position 'remains healthy', adding that it was continuing to see strong fundraising and legacy income. But it said it planned to close around 150 shops across Britain to ensure the rest of its store network 'remains commercially sustainable' to support its fundraising efforts. Chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said the retail business was currently facing 'an exceptionally challenging trading environment'.The organisation said the proposals followed a review of its store network. The affected stores, which run with support from volunteers, raise funds to support the charity’s research into cardiovascular disease.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.'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.'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.' On top of its network of shops and donation points, the BHF has online retail channels, including on its website and via eBay.The organisation said it would continue to evolve its retail operations 'to reflect changing customer shopping behaviours and donor habits'.Many charity shops have become more expensive for shoppers in recent years. More people are also opting to sell their own old clothes, furniture or household items on platforms such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Vinted. The BHF currently has 640 shops and stores across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The closures announced today, within the next two years, comprise just under a quarter of the total. In October 2025, Cancer Research announced plans to shut around 90 of its charity shops by March 2026, with up to 100 more by April 2027. In Surbiton, Surrey, an online petition was launched by locals in a bid to try and keep the town's Cancer Research shop open. Staff and volunteers were reportedly told the lease had run out and the cost of renewal was the main reason for the closure.DIY INVESTING PLATFORMSAJ BellAJ BellEasy investing and ready-made portfoliosHargreaves LansdownHargreaves LansdownFree fund dealing and investment ideasinteractive investorinteractive investorFlat-fee investing from £4.99 per monthFreetradeFreetradeInvesting Isa now free on basic planTrading 212Trading 212Free share dealing and no account feeAffiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.Compare the best investing account for you
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British Heart Foundation set to close 150 charity shops amid rising costs
