Another blow is coming to the British high street as a major UK charity scales back its presence.
The charity has announced it will shut dozens of shops across the country in the next two years.
Disability charity Scope has confirmed it will close 47 more shops by March 2026, in addition to the 24 that have already shut this year.
In total, 74 of its 138 stores across England and Wales are set to close as part of a major retail restructure.
The move follows a consultation launched in January, which initially proposed the closure of 77 branches.
So far, three stores have already closed without prior notice.
Six more shut during the consultation period, and a further 18 stores ceased trading before the end of March 2025.
The remaining 47 locations will shut over a longer timeline, with five due to close in May and 43 more scheduled to shut between now and the end of March next year.
Disability charity Scope has confirmed it will close 47 more shops by March 2026
PAAn additional four stores are expected to close in the 2026/27 financial year, bringing the total number of closures to 75.
The charity says the decision reflects a combination of falling customer numbers and rising running costs, and is part of a strategy to focus on stronger-performing locations.
Debbie Boylen, Head of Retail at Scope, said: "While many of our shops continue to perform well and contribute vital funds, a number are loss-making. We’re making difficult decisions to protect Scope’s long-term financial stability."
Five more shops are expected to close next month, though the charity has not yet published a full list of affected locations.
Staff at impacted sites are being offered support throughout the transition, Scope confirmed.
Mark Hodgkinson, Scope’s Chief Executive, added: "Our retail team, volunteers and customers have all contributed hugely to the charity’s fundraising efforts.
"However, external challenges have made trading more difficult across the high street."
Staff at impacted sites are being offered support throughout the transition, Scope confirmed
PA
Full list of shops that ceased trading before March 31:
- Amersham
- Barking
- Bangor
- Birkenhead
- Bishop Auckland
- Castleford
- Devizes
- Dewsbury
- Eastbourne
- Haywards Heath
- Lewisham
- New Milton
- Orpington
- Parkstone
- Scunthorpe
- Shirley (Southampton)
- Skipton
- Workington
List of shops that closed during the consultation period:
- Bexhill
- Hertford
- Mitcham
- Petersfield
- Scarborough
- Worthing
Scope’s decision is the latest in a series of closures hitting UK high streets
PA
Scope’s decision is the latest in a series of closures hitting UK high streets, where traditional retail continues to face mounting challenges.
Soaring energy bills, higher rent and business rates, plus the rise of online shopping have all made it harder for brick-and-mortar stores to survive.
On top of this, April’s hike in employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent has added extra strain to operating costs.
According to the Centre for Retail Research, more than 13,000 shops closed in the UK in 2024 alone.
Forecasts suggest this number could reach 17,350 closures in 2025, with over 200,000 job losses predicted.
Scope said its retail strategy is being restructured to ensure it can continue funding its work supporting disabled people across the UK, even with a smaller store network.
The charity has not ruled out investment in other income streams or changes to its retail model in future.
