The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has confirmed it will close 150 stores across the UK, with 87 outlets already scheduled to shut in May 2027. The remaining locations are under review and may close by March 2028.
Midlands Branches Affected
Among the closures are branches in Sutton Coldfield, Cannock, West Bromwich, and Perry Barr. The Perry Barr branch is a home store, while Sutton Coldfield and West Bromwich are standard charity shops. These closures will impact local communities that rely on the shops for affordable goods and volunteering opportunities.
Reasons Behind the Closures
The BHF cited rising operating costs and changing customer habits as the primary drivers. Like many retailers, the charity faces an exceptionally challenging trading environment. Chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths stated: "Our shops mean so much to our colleagues, brilliant volunteers and communities across the UK. They are places people come together to donate, shop and volunteer, helping to make a real difference to lives affected by cardiovascular disease."
She added: "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. 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."
Scale of the Closures
In total, 150 stores will close, representing a significant reduction in the BHF's retail footprint. The 87 stores closing in May 2027 include locations in 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, 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, 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), Sutton Coldfield, Salisbury, Uckfield, West Bromwich, Workshop (Home Store), and Wrexham (Home Store).
The remaining 63 stores are under review and may close by March 2028. The BHF has not yet released the full list of these locations.
Impact on Research and Community
The BHF is the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK. The closures are part of a strategy to sustain the charity's retail contribution to research funding. However, the loss of shops will reduce income from donations and sales in the short term, and affect employment for staff and volunteers. The charity emphasized its gratitude to those affected and pledged support during the transition.
