ECONOMIC PRESSURES: Cancer Research UK is changing its retail offering, closing smaller high street stores to focus on larger superstores (Image: Getty)
As part of plans to revamp funding for life-saving cancer research, a charity has announced it will close nearly 90 stores across the country by May 2026. This marks the first phase of Cancer Research UK’s plan to reduce the number of its 600 high street outlets by almost half.
The charity cited rising national insurance contributions, inflation, and shifts in consumer behaviour as reasons for the decision. These economic pressures have made maintaining a large retail presence less sustainable.
In total, 88 shops are set to close by May 2026. A further 100 closures are planned by April 2027. These changes will impact around 600 colleagues and up to 3,000 volunteers.
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Cancer Research UK has pledged to support the affected staff and volunteers, offering assistance in finding new job opportunities or volunteer positions if redeployment is unrealistic. The charity also plans to discontinue its online marketplace at the start of 2026.
Despite the announced closures, the charity has unveiled plans to open 12 new ‘superstores’ across the UK by 2028. These superstores are typically four times larger than high street stores and are usually located in retail parks, reports LancsLive. At present, Cancer Research UK operates around 46 such superstores.
See if your local store is affected using this interactive map:
Explaining the changes, chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “Without action, many of our shops would struggle to remain viable. By focusing on a smaller, more efficient retail operation, we can enhance our funding for life-saving cancer research and better serve our customers, staff, and volunteers.
“We understand that this news may be difficult, and we have made these decisions with careful consideration. Our commitment to supporting everyone affected during this transition remains a top priority, and we will provide clear information and assistance throughout the process.”
The 88 stores due to close by May 2026
- Aberdeen, 19 Rosemount Viaduct, AB25 1NE
- Airdrie, 5 Bank Street, ML6 6AF
- Balham, 168 Balham High Road, SW12 9BW
- Ballymena, 49 Ballymoney Street, BT43 6AN
- Banbury, 9 Parsons Street, OX16 5LW
- Barnstaple, Gammon Walk, EX31 1DJ
- Belfast, Bloomfield 17 Bloomfield Avenue, BT4 1RX
- Biggleswade, 24 High Street, SG18 0JL
- Birkenhead, Borough Pavement, CH41 2XX
- Birmingham, 245 High Street, Erdington, B23 6SS
- Bognor, 1-2 Clock Walk, P021 1SG
- Bolton, 6 Newport Street, BL1 1NB
- Bradford, 34-36 Ivegate, BD1 1SW
- Burton, On Trent 25 Station St, DE14 1AU
- Chesham, 34 High Street, HP5 1EP
- Clevedon, 1 Station Road, BS21 6NH
- Clydebank, 23 Sylvania Way South, G81 2UA
- Coatbridge, 20-22 Main Street, ML5 3AE
- Cotteridge, 20 Watford Road, Birmingham, B30 1JA
- Crewe, 10 Market Street, CW1 2EG
- Derby, 826 Osmaston Road, Allenton, DE24 9AA
- 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
- Epping, 197 High Street, CM16 4BL
- Fakenham, 26 Market Place, NR21 9BS
- Falkirk, 18 Vicar Street, FK1 1JL
- Galashiels, 55 High Street, TD1 1RZ
- Gillingham, 90 High Street, ME7 1AX
- Glasgow, 420-424 Victoria Road, G42 8YZ
- Gosport, 98 High Street, PO12 1DS
- 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
- Hornchurch, 8 Station Lane, RM12 6NJ
- Keswick, 24 Main Street, CA12 5JD
- Kings Lynn, 61 High Street, PE30 1AY
- Lancaster, 54-54A Market Street, LA1 1HS
- Leeds, 28 L&S Lane, LS1 6LB
- Lincoln, 254 High Street, E20 1QJ
- Lisburn, 4 Smithfield Square, BT28 1AD
- Louth, 20 Market Place, LN11 9PD
- Ludlow, 3 Castle Street, SY8 1AS
- Maidenhead, 101 High Street, SL6 1JX
- Maidstone, 19 Gabriels Hill, ME15 6HR
- Market Drayton, 27 High Street, TF9 1QF
- Melton Mowbray, 6 South Parade, LE13 0PU
- 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
- Newcastle, Under Lyme 19 Ironmarket, ST5 1RF
- Northwood, 38 Green Lane, HA6 2QB
- Paddock Wood, 5 Commercial Road, TN12 6EN
- Penrith, 10 Angel Lane, CA11 7BP
- Perth, 27 Scott Street, PH1 5TQ
Redditch, 4 Market Place, B98 8AA - Redruth, 71 Fore Street, TR15 2AF
- Retford, 25 Carolgate, DN22 6BZ
- Ross On Wye, 11 Market Place, HR9 5NU
- Rotherham, 74 Effingham Street, S65 1AL
- 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
- Slough, 8 Park Street, SL1 1PD
- Southend On Sea, 5 Warrior House, Southchurch Road, SS1 2LZ
- St Ives, 6 High Street, TR26 1RR
- Stalybridge, 44A Grosvenor Road, SK15 1RR
- Stockport, 26 Princes Street, SK1 1SE
- Stoke, 44 Devonport Road, Plymouth, PL3 4DH
- Swansea, 19 Union Street, SA1 3EH
- Swindon, 28 Havelock Street, SN1 1SD
- Tiverton, 15 Bampton Street, EX16 6AAU
- 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
- Wigston, 6 Bell Street, LE18 1AD
- Workington, 26-32 Murray Road, CA14 2AG
