A major UK high street chain with over 130 stores has announced a string of new closures with six to shut by the end of September, following 50 shops shutting earlier this year. Scope, a national disability equality charity, revealed in January that it was struggling financially and would be forced to shut some stores.
The charity shop chain which has branches across England and Wales forecasts its shops will make a £1.5 million loss this year after a consultation process. Between August 30 and September 27 the six stores will shut – with the Alton branch having already pulled down the shutters for good. The next shops ear marked for closure will be Bishop’s Stortford, Huntingdon and Newmarket on September 6.
And by September 27, the Beverley and Fleet stores will permanently shut.
Full list of Scope stores shutting:
- Alton – August 30
- Bishop’s Stortford – 6 September
- Huntingdon – 6 September
- Newmarket – 6 September
- Beverley – 27 September
- Fleet – 27 September
In total, the chain is considering shutting 77 of its 138 shops across the country, Lancaster Live reported.
Some 23 shops shut by the end of March, including two locations around London, in Barking and Amersham. Then in May, 11 shops closed their doors for the final time, and in summer, 15 shops were also lost.
In its annual report for the year to March 2024, Scope said it had made £24million from trading activities, but in the same year it spent £24.7million maintaining and operating its shops.
Debbie Boylen, head of retail at charity Scope, said: “We never take the decision to close our stores lightly. We recognise that for our colleagues and volunteers, it’s more than just a job. We know they feel passionately about playing their part in our work to create an equal future with disabled people, and our decision does not reflect their hard work or dedication to Scope.”
She added that Scope continues to have a future on the high street and its shops will continue to be a place where the charity directly engages with local communities.