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Business
Jun 05, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

British Heart Foundation to Shut 150 Charity Shops Amid Rising Costs

AI Summary
The British Heart Foundation will close around 150 high‑street shops as rising operating costs and a shift to online shopping erode profitability. Net profit fell sharply to £3.6 million and the charity plans staggered closures through March 2027 to safeguard its research funding mission.

The Decision to Shut Approximately 150 BHF Retail Outlets

The British Heart Foundation announced it will close about 150 charity shops and cut jobs after a review deemed a quarter of its high‑street locations commercially unsustainable.

Financial Strain Evident in Plunging Net Profit

Net profit across the charity’s 640 UK stores dropped from £18.8 million in 2024 to £3.6 million in the year to 31 March 2025. Total income for 2025 was £181 million, but net income after direct costs fell by almost £9 million to £129.6 million. The wage and pension bill reached £136 million, and the proportion of income allocated to charitable work fell to 72% from 77% the previous year, still above the 70% benchmark.

Operational Implications for Staff and Volunteers

  • Retail arm employs nearly 3,700 staff (3,692 FTE).
  • Head office workforce totals 795 employees, bringing total headcount to 4,545.
  • 180 staff earn £60,000 or more.
  • Chief executive Charmaine Griffiths received a £35,000 pay rise to £268,239 for the financial year.
  • Job cuts are planned in central functions supporting retail operations.

Broader Implications for the UK Charity Retail Landscape

The closures reflect a wider shift toward online shopping that is pressuring traditional high‑street charity retailers. With a significant portion of income funding cardiovascular research, the BHF’s move underscores the tension between maintaining a sustainable retail model and preserving charitable impact.

Outlook: Timeline for Closures and Future Funding Strategy

The charity aims to shutter 90 stores by the end of March 2027 and the remaining locations by March 2028. Executives stress that the difficult short‑term decisions are intended to protect the long‑term mission of funding lifesaving research.