One of Britain's most prominent disability charities is set to shutter more than half of its high street shops in a drastic bid to address severe financial losses.
Major Restructure to Tackle Multi-Million Pound Deficit
Scope has confirmed plans to close 77 of its 138 charity shops by the end of March 2026. The decision forms the core of a major organisational restructure designed to tackle an ongoing financial deficit. Already, 73 stores have ceased trading, with four more closures imminent.
The charity's latest financial report reveals a troubling picture. For the year to March 2025, total income fell by 7% to £44 million. Meanwhile, expenditures rose by 9% to £52.9 million, creating a significant shortfall. This marks the sixth consecutive year Scope has operated at a loss.
To stem the bleeding, the charity has already cut 54 jobs. The shop closures are expected to reduce running costs by £4 million in the 2025-26 financial year, with the job cuts contributing to further savings of £1.9 million.
Charity Retail Under Pressure from Soaring Costs
Scope's chief executive, Mark Hodgkinson, explained the difficult decision. He stated that, despite the best efforts of staff and volunteers, the shop network as a whole is now losing money. "This situation isn't confined to Scope," Hodgkinson said. "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."
The financial strain has severely impacted the charity's reserves. Over the past five years, reserves have plummeted from £42.7 million to £26.4 million, as reported by The Civil Society.
Debbie Boylen, Head of Retail at Scope, expressed sadness at the closures, particularly noting the impact on dedicated teams. "We recognise for our colleagues and volunteers it's more than just a job," she said. "We will be doing everything we can to support them and our decision does not reflect their hard work and dedication."
A Wider Crisis for Charity Shops on the High Street
Scope is not alone in facing these challenges. Cancer Research UK has announced its own sweeping closure programme, planning to shut nearly 200 of its stores by mid-2027. The cancer charity cited similar pressures: rising operational costs, lower customer footfall, and intense online competition.
However, Cancer Research UK also signals a shift in strategy, planning to open 12 new larger 'superstores' by 2028 to meet demand for spacious, value-focused shopping.
For Scope, the future on the high street will be leaner. The charity, which campaigns for disability equality and provides support services, insists it remains committed to physical stores. Boylen affirmed that shops will continue to be a vital place to engage local communities and raise awareness. The focus now is on ensuring remaining stores are sustainable, allowing the charity to direct maximum funds towards its core mission of creating a more equal future for disabled people.
The following Scope stores have already closed this year:
- Stourbridge, Folkestone, Gillingham Twydall Green, Stamford Hill, Beverley, Fleet
- Huntingdon, Newmarket, Bishop’s Stortford, Alton, Halstead, Hinkley
- Camborne, Kendal, Gosport, Wednesbury, Rochdale, Nuneaton
- Gillingham High Street (Kent), Beckenham, Portsmouth, Taunton, Bromley
- Bridgwater, Blyth, Hove George Street, Burton, Erdington, West Hampstead
- Exmouth, Bury, Newport, Southampton (Portswood Road), Atherstone, Welling
- Amersham, Barking, Bangor, Birkenhead, Bishop Auckland, Castleford
- Devizes, Dewsbury, Eastbourne, Haywards Heath, Lewisham, New Milton
- Orpington, Parkstone, Scunthorpe, Shirley (Southampton), Skipton, Workington
- Bexhill, Hertford, Mitcham, Petersfield, Scarborough, Worthing
