British Heart Foundation plans to close 150 shops amid rising retail costs

British Heart Foundation (BHF), a major charity retailer with 680 stores across the country, has proposed closing around 150 shops over the next two years.

The charity said the decision follows a detailed review of its retail estate, prompted by rising operating costs and changing customer habits, which have left some locations "no longer financially sustainable".

Around 90 stores are proposed to close by the end of March 2027, with the remainder by March 2028. BHF has also proposed reducing the central teams and functions that support its retail operation.

The charity said its overall financial position remains healthy, supported by fundraising and legacy income. Its 2025 annual report said more than £460 million of BHF-funded research was in progress as of 31 March 2025, up from more than £430 million a year earlier. The same report noted that raising funds had remained challenging amid economic uncertainty and "growing cost pressures in our retail business".

BHF’s shops sell around 25 million donated items over the counter each year, including a range of pre-loved clothing and accessories.

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, CEO at BHF, said: "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."

BHF said it will continue to operate a large national shop network alongside online retail channels including eBay and its own website. Supporters will still be able to donate items through nearby shops, donation points, home collection services in some areas, and online post-to-donate options after closures take place.

Affected staff will be supported through redeployment opportunities where possible, and volunteers will be offered alternative placements in nearby shops or elsewhere in the organisation.

BHF said it will publish the locations of shops earmarked for closure this financial year on its website once all affected colleagues have been personally notified.