The British Heart Foundation will close about 150 of its 640 UK charity shops over the next two years because rising costs and changing shopper habits have made some outlets unsustainable. Around 90 shops will close by March 2027, with the rest following by March 2028. The charity says its overall finances remain healthy thanks to strong fundraising and legacies and will publish affected locations after staff are informed.
British Heart Foundation to Close About 150 UK Charity Shops Amid Rising Costs and Changing Shopper Habits
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The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has announced plans to close roughly 150 of its 640 charity shops across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, citing an "exceptionally challenging trading environment". The charity said a combination of rising operating costs and shifting customer behaviour has made some stores no longer financially sustainable.
Timeline and Scope
About 90 shops are scheduled to close by the end of March 2027, with the remainder expected to shut by March 2028. The planned closures represent just under a quarter of the BHF's retail estate. The charity said it will publish the specific locations affected once colleagues and volunteers impacted by the changes have been informed.
Why The Change?
The BHF pointed to multiple pressures: increased operating costs, falling footfall on some high streets, changing donor and shopper habits and growing competition from online resale platforms. Wider sector challenges — such as rising employer National Insurance contributions and higher minimum wages — have also added to retailers' cost burdens.
Financial Position And Retail Strategy
Despite the closures, the BHF said its overall financial position remains healthy, supported by strong fundraising and legacy income. The charity plans to continue and expand its online retail presence, including its own website and listings on eBay, and to evolve its retail model to reflect changing shopping behaviours.
Impact On Staff And Volunteers
As well as shop closures, the BHF intends to reduce some central teams that support its retail operation. Chief Executive Charmaine Griffiths acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and thanked staff and volunteers for their service.
"Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment," Griffiths said. "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."
Context: Wider Retail Trends
Other charities and retailers have announced similar restructurings. Last year Cancer Research UK revealed plans to close around 90 High Street shops by May and up to 100 more by April 2027 while opening several larger out-of-town superstores. Supermarket chain Morrisons has also signalled store closures. The moves reflect a broader retail sector response to higher costs, changing consumer habits and the rise of online resale.
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