The charity is closing 58 shops nationwide by May 2026
Cancer Research UK is set to shut down 58 of its charity shops by May 2026 as part of an extensive restructuring programme responding to escalating costs and evolving consumer behaviour.
The initiative, anticipated to generate savings worth millions, seeks to streamline retail operations whilst safeguarding the organisation’s capacity to finance crucial cancer research. Back in October, the charity revealed plans to close 88 outlets by May 2026, with some already having ceased trading.
These closures represent the beginning of a two-year strategy to shut nearly 200 stores altogether. The shutdowns are being prompted by mounting operational expenses – ranging from increased National Insurance contributions to inflation driving up energy, stock, and delivery costs – alongside changing shopping patterns, reports the Express.
Following the completion of this restructuring, the charity’s high-street presence will be reduced to approximately 320 of its most lucrative locations.
Cancer Research UK has maintained that this reorganisation should free up roughly £12.4 million over the coming five years, boosting resources available for cancer research.
The charity plans to cease operations of its online marketplace in early 2026, which means donated items will no longer be sold via external resale platforms.
Instead, the organisation is pivoting towards larger retail formats, with ambitions to launch 12 “superstores” by 2028 – expansive, retail-park-style venues designed to provide greater choice and value.
Cancer Research stores set to close – full list
- Aberdeen, 19 Rosemount Viaduct, AB25 1NE
- Ballymena, 49 Ballymoney Street, BT43 6AN
- Banbury, 9 Parsons Street, OX16 5LW
- Belfast, Bloomfield 17 Bloomfield Avenue, BT4 1RX
- Birkenhead, Borough Pavement, CH41 2XX
- Bognor, 1-2 Clock Walk, PO21 1SG
- Burton On Trent, 25 Station St, DE14 1AU
- Chesham, 34 High Street, HP5 1EP
- Clevedon, 1 Station Road, BS21 6NH
- Coatbridge, 20-22 Main Street, ML5 3AE
- Crewe, 10 Market Street, CW1 2EG
- Dewsbury, 22 Longcauseway, WF12 8EN
- Dudley, 258 Castle Street, DY1 1LQ
- East Barnet, 276 East Barnet Road, EN4 8TD
- Edinburgh, 9-10 Ormiston Terrace, Corstorphine, EH12 7SJ
- Fakenham, 26 Market Place, NR21 9BS
- Falkirk, 18 Vicar Street, FK1 1JL
- Gillingham, 90 High Street, ME7 1AX
- Gravesend, 34 New Road, DA11 0AB
- Halesowen, 79 High Street, B63 3BQ
- Harrogate, 24A Oxford Street, HG1 1PU
- Hazel Grove, 129B-C London Road, Stockport, SK74HH
- Hemel Hempstead, 101 Marlowes, HP1 1LF
- High Wycombe, 8 Church Street, HP11 2DE
- Keswick, 24 Main Street, CA12 5JD
- Lancaster, 54-54A Market Street, LA1 1HS
- Lisburn, 4 Smithfield Square, BT28 1AD
- Louth, 20 Market Place, LN11 9PD
- Ludlow, 3 Castle Street, SY8 1AS
- Maidenhead, 101 High Street, SL6 1JX
- Merthyr Tydfil, 14 Graham Way, CF47 8BT
- Mill Hill, 37 The Broadway, NW7 3DA
- Moreton, 242 Hoylake Road, CH46 6AD
- Newark, 26 Stodman Street, NG24 1AW
- Northwood, 38 Green Lane, HA6 2QB
- Paddock Wood, 5 Commercial Road, TN12 6EN
- Redruth, 71 Fore Street, TR15 2AF
- Retford, 25 Carolgate, DN22 6BZ
- Ross On Wye, 11 Market Place, HR9 5NU
- Rushden, 22 High Street, NN10 0PW
- Selby, 40A Gowthorpe, YO8 4ET
- Sevenoaks, 137 High Street, TN13 1UX
- Shrewsbury, 9 High Street, SY1 1SP
- Sidmouth, 19 Fore Street, EX10 8AL
- Skipton, 91 Caroline Square, BD23 1DA
- St Ives, 6 High Street, TR26 1RR
- Stalybridge, 44A Grosvenor Road, SK15 1RR
- Stockport, 26 Princes Street, SK1 1SE
- Swansea, 19 Union Street, SA1 3EH
- Swindon, 28 Havelock Street, SN1 1SD
- Tiverton, 15 Bampton Street, EX16 6AA
- Urmston, 16 Station Road, M41 9JN
- Welling, 26C Bellegrove Road, DA16 3PU
- Welwyn Garden City, 20 Howardsgate, AL8 6BQ
- West Bromwich, 203 High Street, B70 7QZ
- Whitby, 70 Baxtergate, YO21 1BL
- Wick, 36 Bridge Street, KW1 4NG
- Workington, 26-32 Murray Road, CA14 2AG
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