The charity shop you drop off bags of old clothes at might not be there next year. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has announced plans to close 150 of its stores across the UK over the next two years — and the first 87 locations have already been confirmed. For a charity that relies on those shops to fund life-saving research into heart disease, this is a sign of how tough the high street has become for everyone, even the organisations we rely on to do good.
The BHF operates more than 600 shops across the UK. But in June 2026 the charity revealed that a review had found some stores were “no longer financially sustainable” due to rising operational costs, falling footfall, and changes in how people shop and donate. The first 87 closures will happen by March 2027, with the remaining 60 shutting by March 2028. The charity says the move will “ensure our retail network remains strong and sustainable” and protect its long-term mission. The restructure also includes reducing the teams that support its retail operations.
“The British Heart Foundation is closing 150 stores by 2028 due to rising costs and falling footfall; here’s what it means for UK high streets.”
This isn’t just a one-off. The BHF is part of a wider wave of closures hitting the UK high street. In recent months, fashion chain Leading Labels, supermarket Morrisons, and Quiz Clothing have all shut stores. Accessories brand Radley closed multiple shops after being bought out of administration. Restaurant chains Franco Manca, The Real Greek, Beefeater, and Brewers Fayre have also announced closures. The BHF’s chief executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, said: “Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment.”
The closures matter for several reasons. First, the BHF is one of the UK’s biggest charity retailers — its shops are where millions of people donate clothes, books, and household items, and where bargain hunters find second-hand goods. When a BHF shop disappears, it’s not just a loss for the local high street; it’s a loss of a fundraising channel for research into cardiovascular disease, which causes around one death every three minutes in the UK. The charity said its overall financial position remains healthy, with strong performance from other fundraising and legacy income, but the retail arm clearly needs to slim down.
For shoppers and volunteers, the changes could be immediate. If your local BHF is on the closure list, you’ll still be able to donate and shop as normal until the store shuts. The charity says it will support affected employees with redeployment where possible, and volunteers will be offered roles at neighbouring shops or elsewhere in the organisation. But for communities, the loss of a charity shop can mean fewer affordable goods and a weaker local charity presence.
Q: How many British Heart Foundation shops are closing? A total of 150 stores will close over two years. The first 87 closures are confirmed and will happen by March 2027; the remaining 60 will close by March 2028. The BHF operates around 640 to 652 shops in total.
Q: Why is the British Heart Foundation closing stores? Rising operational costs, decreased footfall, and changing customer habits made some shops financially unsustainable. The charity’s review concluded that closing these stores was necessary to keep the retail network strong and continue raising funds for heart disease research.
Q: What happens to staff and volunteers at closing stores? Affected employees will be offered redeployment opportunities where possible. Volunteers will be placed in roles at other nearby BHF shops or in other areas of the charity.
What happens next depends on how the closures unfold. The second wave of 63 stores (the remaining 60 plus perhaps more) has yet to be finalised. The BHF says it will continue to support its retail network and focus on long-term sustainability. For now, if you want to keep donating, check whether your local store is on the closure list — and if it is, start looking for the next nearest BHF shop before it’s gone.
