‘Deeply concerning’ cry shoppers after major charity retailer with 700 stores shuts ‘outstanding’ branch

SHOPPERS have been left gutted after a major charity retailer with 750 stores pulled down the shutters on one of its branches.

British Heart Foundation welcomed customers into its shop in Lowestoft, Suffolk, for the final time on Saturday, June 1.

Gary Stone - The Sun

The charity retailer said the branch closed after its lease came to an end.

Gary Purser, British Heart Foundation area manager, added: “We would like to thank our wonderful staff and volunteers for all their support over the years, some of which will be moving to other stores nearby.

“We’d also like to say a big thank you to our loyal and lovely customers in Lowestoft.

“They can still support the British Heart Foundation and visit our Great Yarmouth and Norwich stores, or shop online on our BHF eBay store.”

Shoppers have shared their dismay and sadness after finding out the branch, known by locals on Google Reviews as “outstanding”, has shuttered for good.

One said: “Deeply concerning when charity shops are even closing on the high street.”

Another echoed the sentiment, adding: “Things are really bad when even charity shops are closing down.”

A third commented: “Another empty shop at that end of town.”

And a fourth said: “If it wasn’t for shops like this then research into heart problems etc could not be done.

“I personally (am) grateful for this shop and all they done.”

It comes following a swathe of charity shop closures in recent months in a blow for the high street.

Oxfam pulled down the shutters of its branch in Telford, Wellington, just last month.

The chain, which runs around 500 UK shops, said it had decided to shut the store as it was not “viable”.

Since June last year, Oxfam has closed eight further stores across the UK including in Alfreton, Worthing and Grimsby.

The Salvation Army has also been forced into closing a store in Bourne and another in Cornerswell Road, Penarth, while Cancer Research UK shuttered a branch earlier this year.

What else is happening on the high street?

The high street has been hit hard in recent years as shoppers turn to online retail, a trend made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Businesses have also had to cough up more on energy, wages and business rates.

It has seen some shops forced to close permanently in a blow for customers.

Some major retailers have fallen into administration, including Ted Baker, Wilko and The Body Shop, seeing hundreds of shops close and thousands of workers lose their jobs.

It’s not all bad news for the sector though, as some chains have been expanding on the high street and in retail parks.

Poundland, Lidl and Aldi have all been opening branches across the UK, as shoppers turn to more budget-friendly options.

Aldi said it wants to open hundreds more stores in the coming years, setting its sights on operating 1,500.

Retailers closing stores in 2024

RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.

High energy costs are a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.

While some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.

Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.

We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:

• Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
• B&Q – The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, with two stores closing this year due to leases not being renewed. It has plans to open more in 2024 too.
• Boots – The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer’s estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
• Clintons – Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We’ve listed the stores affected.
• Costa Coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We’ve revealed which stores are due to close this year.
• Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
• Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
• M&S – M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It’s not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops as well.
• Trespass – The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
• WHSmith – The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.

Health and beauty retailer Superdrug recently said it wants to open 25 new branches across the UK.

Asda has been opening hundreds of convenience stores in recent months as it looks to rival major players Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

B&M plans to open “not less than” 45 brand new stores across the UK in each of the next two consecutive years.

And the British Heart Foundation opened a giant new store in south Bristol in April, reported Bristol World.

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