A MAJOR high street retailer is set to close all but one of its warehouses following continued financial struggles.
This comes as the organisation plans to axe almost two fifths of its store locations by April next year.
Two of Cancer Research UK‘s three retail distribution centres are expected to close from next month, along with a reduction in the number of drivers.
The charity confirmed that operations would end at the Fleet and Warrington warehouses, while the Grantham site would remain open.
It is unknown what will happen to the staff currently employed at the sites, whose role involves “sorting, ticketing, and processing donated fashion items for retail shops”.
This comes as part of the organisation’s restructuring programme announced in October last year, which has seen the downsizing of its retail estate across the UK.
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Now, just 320 “high-performing” locations will remain by April 2027, with a total of 190 stores expected to be cut in the intervening months.
The charity said that mounting financial pressures from a lacklustre high street performance, declining footfall and rising costs had all contributed towards the site closures.
As a result, the decision was made to restructure and reshape operations, which would see the charity pivot towards research objectives.
However, the charity intends to continue expanding its network of out-of-town superstores, around 12 of which have already opened.
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When the plan was first announced, the charity said that retail had “played a critical role in our mission – delivering over £225m in contribution over the last 10 years.”
Now, Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, has said that “without action, we predict many of our shops will become unprofitable”.
Other major high street charity chains have also faced closures, with the likes of Oxfam and the British Heart Foundation shuttering “unprofitable” locations.