Cancer Research UK Announces Major Restructuring with 88 Shop Closures
In a significant shift for the British high street, Cancer Research UK has confirmed plans to close 88 of its charity shops by May 2026. The iconic charity, a familiar presence in towns and cities across the nation, is undertaking this substantial restructuring in response to persistent financial challenges and evolving consumer behaviour.
Financial Pressures Drive Strategic Decision
The charity has pointed to escalating operational costs and fundamental changes in how people donate and shop as the primary drivers behind this difficult decision. Long-term financial strain, including rising overheads such as rent, utilities, and staffing, has made the current retail footprint unsustainable. This move forms part of a broader two-year strategy designed to streamline operations and ensure resources are directed most effectively toward the charity's core mission.
By reducing its physical estate to approximately 320 outlets, Cancer Research UK aims to free up an estimated £12.4 million. This substantial sum will be reinvested directly into vital cancer research projects, supporting scientific breakthroughs and patient care initiatives. The organisation has indicated that further closures may be considered in 2027 as the strategy continues to unfold.
Full List of Affected Locations
The closures will impact communities across the United Kingdom, from major cities to smaller market towns. The comprehensive list of shops scheduled to close includes:
- Aberdeen, 19 Rosemount Viaduct, AB25 1NE
- Airdrie, 5 Bank Street, ML6 6AF
- Balham, 168 Balham High Road, SW12 9BW
- Ballymena, 49 Ballymoney Street, BT43 6AN
- Banbury, 9 Parsons Street, OX16 5LW
- Barnstaple, Gammon Walk, EX31 1DJ
- Belfast, Bloomfield 17 Bloomfield Avenue, BT4 1RX
- Biggleswade, 24 High Street, SG18 0JL
- Birkenhead, Borough Pavement, CH41 2XX
- Birmingham, 245 High Street, Erdington, B23 6SS
- Bognor, 1-2 Clock Walk, P021 1SG
- Bolton, 6 Newport Street, BL1 1NB
- Bradford, 34-36 Ivegate, BD1 1SW
- Burton On Trent, 25 Station St, DE14 1AU
- Chesham, 34 High Street, HP5 1EP
- Clevedon, 1 Station Road, BS21 6NH
- Clydebank, 23 Sylvania Way South, G81 2UA
- Coatbridge, 20-22 Main Street, ML5 3AE
- Cotteridge, 20 Watford Road, Birmingham, B30 1JA
- Crewe, 10 Market Street, CW1 2EG
- Derby, 826 Osmaston Road, Allenton, DE24 9AA
- Dewsbury, 22 Longcauseway, WF12 8EN
- Dudley, 258 Castle Street, DY1 1LQ
- East Barnet, 276 East Barnet Road, EN4 8TD
- Edinburgh, 9-10 Ormiston Terrace, Corstorphine, EH12 7SJ
- Epping, 197 High Street, CM16 4BL
- Fakenham, 26 Market Place, NR21 9BS
- Falkirk, 18 Vicar Street, FK1 1JL
- Galashiels, 55 High Street, TD1 1RZ
- Gillingham, 90 High Street, ME7 1AX
- Glasgow, 420-424 Victoria Road, G42 8YZ
- Gosport, 98 High Street, PO12 1DS
- Gravesend, 34 New Road, DA11 0AB
- Halesowen, 79 High Street, B63 3BQ
- Harrogate, 24A Oxford Street, HG1 1PU
- Hazel Grove, 129B-C London Road, Stockport, SK7 4HH
- Hemel Hempstead, 101 Marlowes, HP1 1LF
- High Wycombe, 8 Church Street, HP11 2DE
- Hornchurch, 8 Station Lane, RM12 6NJ
- Keswick, 24 Main Street, CA12 5JD
- Kings Lynn, 61 High Street, PE30 1AY
- Lancaster, 54-54A Market Street, LA1 1HS
- Leeds, 28 L&S Lane, LS1 6LB
- Lincoln, 254 High Street, E20 1QJ
- Lisburn, 4 Smithfield Square, BT28 1AD
- Louth, 20 Market Place, LN11 9PD
- Ludlow, 3 Castle Street, SY8 1AS
- Maidenhead, 101 High Street, SL6 1JX
- Maidstone, 19 Gabriels Hill, ME15 6HR
- Market Drayton, 27 High Street, TF9 1QF
- Melton Mowbray, 6 South Parade, LE13 0PU
- Merthyr Tydfil, 14 Graham Way, CF47 8BT
- Mill Hill, 37 The Broadway, NW7 3DA
- Moreton, 242 Hoylake Road, CH46 6AD
- Newark, 26 Stodman Street, NG24 1AW
- Newcastle Under Lyme, 19 Ironmarket, ST5 1RF
- Northwood, 38 Green Lane, HA6 2QB
- Paddock Wood, 5 Commercial Road, TN12 6EN
- Penrith, 10 Angel Lane, CA11 7BP
- Perth, 27 Scott Street, PH1 5TQ
- Redditch, 4 Market Place, B98 8AA
- Redruth, 71 Fore Street, TR15 2AF
- Retford, 25 Carolgate, DN22 6BZ
- Ross On Wye, 11 Market Place, HR9 5NU
- Rotherham, 74 Effingham Street, S65 1AL
- Rushden, 22 High Street, NN10 0PW
- Selby, 40A Gowthorpe, YO8 4ET
- Sevenoaks, 137 High Street, TN13 1UX
- Shrewsbury, 9 High Street, SY1 1SP
- Sidmouth, 19 Fore Street, EX10 8AL
- Skipton, 91 Caroline Square, BD23 1DA
- Slough, 8 Park Street, SL1 1PD
- Southend On Sea, 5 Warrior House, Southchurch Road, SS1 2LZ
- St Ives, 6 High Street, TR26 1RR
- Stalybridge, 44A Grosvenor Road, SK15 1RR
- Stockport, 26 Princes Street, SK1 1SE
- Stoke, 44 Devonport Road, Plymouth, PL3 4DH
- Swansea, 19 Union Street, SA1 3EH
- Swindon, 28 Havelock Street, SN1 1SD
- Tiverton, 15 Bampton Street, EX16 6AA
- Urmston, 16 Station Road, M41 9JN
- Welling, 26C Bellegrove Road, DA16 3PU
- Welwyn Garden City, 20 Howardsgate, AL8 6BQ
- West Bromwich, 203 High Street, B70 7QZ
- Whitby, 70 Baxtergate, YO21 1BL
- Wick, 36 Bridge Street, KW1 4NG
- Wigston, 6 Bell Street, LE18 1AD
- Workington, 26-32 Murray Road, CA14 2AG
A New Chapter: The Rise of the Superstore
Despite the widespread closures, the charity's strategy is not solely about contraction. Cancer Research UK has unveiled ambitious counterbalancing plans to open 12 new "superstores" before 2028. These larger-format shops are designed to offer a more extensive and diverse range of donated goods, potentially including furniture, electrical items, and designer clothing, which are typically more profitable.
The charity promises these superstores will provide better value for both donors and shoppers, creating a more modern and efficient retail experience. This pivot reflects an adaptive approach to the charity retail sector, focusing on larger, strategically located premises that can generate higher revenue to support the organisation's lifesaving work.
This restructuring highlights the profound challenges facing traditional charity retail models in an era of digital fundraising and economic uncertainty. While the loss of these local shops will be felt in many communities, Cancer Research UK emphasises that the ultimate goal is to strengthen its financial foundation and accelerate progress in the fight against cancer.
