Charity shop chain Scope has closed three more high street branches this weekend, as part of wider plans to shut 77 stores this year. The disability equality charity forecast a £1.5 million loss this financial year, prompting the closures.
The stores that closed this weekend are located in Morden, Torquay and Washington. Scope had 138 shops at the time of launching a consultation into the closures in January this year. The charity warned around 200 retail staff may be made redundant, while approximately 2,000 volunteers would also be impacted.
According to reports, 59 Scope shops have closed so far this year. Debbie Boylen, head of retail at Scope, said: “Our shops have helped us raise vital income to support our work with disabled people and their families. Having consulted with our colleagues and volunteers on proposals to close 77 of our shops, we’re very sad to confirm our shops in Morden, Torquay and Washington will close on Saturday, 6 December.”
Mark Hodgkinson, chief executive of Scope, said: “Despite our teams' best efforts our shops are collectively now losing money when taking account of all of their costs. A number make strong profits but there are loss making shops too. This situation isn’t confined to Scope. All retailers have been hit with a greater shift to online shopping. And we are facing rising rents, soaring energy costs, increased staff costs, and the cost of living squeezing customers.”
