A major UK charity has announced the closure of another shop as it shuts almost 80 across the country. Scope, a national disability equality charity, revealed in January that it was struggling financially and would be forced to shut some stores. The latest victim of the shutdowns has now been revealed as the store in Kendal, in the Lake District.
The charity, which forecasts its shops will make a £1.5 million loss this year, considered closing 77 of its 138 stores. Around 200 retail staff and 2,000 volunteers would be let go. Stores in Bangor, Welling, Christchurch, Scarborough, Ely, Llandudno, and Hertford have already closed.
Twenty-four stores have closed this year and another 43 are set to close over the next year, with five more closing when leases come up for renewal. Two shops will close in April and a further six in May.
Scope’s chief executive Mark Hodgkinson said certain factors had “made trading harder”, particularly noting rising rents, higher energy costs, increased staff costs and the cost of living impacting customers’ spending habits.
He said: “As a result, and to ensure our funds are best focused upon our charitable purpose, we have let our teams know that we will be putting forward proposals to close some of our shops, in stages, over the next 18 months.”
Debbie Boylen, head of retail at Scope, said: “Scope has been campaigning for disability equality for over 70 years. Our shops have helped us raise vital income to support our work with disabled people and their families.
“We know our teams put in their very best efforts, but 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.
“Over a six week period we consulted with our colleagues and volunteers on proposals to close 77 of our shops. We never take the decision to close our stores lightly.
“We recognise for our colleagues and volunteers, it’s more than just a job. We know they feel passionately about playing their part in our work, creating an equal future with disabled people.
“We will be doing everything we can to support them and our decision does not reflect their hard work and dedication to Scope.”
