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A number of British Heart Foundation charity shops are closing in the North East(Image: HullLive)

A number of British Heart Foundation shops are closing in the North East, the charity has confirmed. This follows a previous announcement in June, when the charity first said it proposed to close stores across the UK over the next two financial years "to ensure our retail network remains commercially sustainable and continues to generate vital funds for lifesaving research".

The decision followed a review of its retail estate amid rising operating costs and changing customer habits, which meant some of its sites were no longer financially sustainable. The proposal was to shut around 90 stores across the country by the end of March 2027, and the remainder by March 2028.

Now British Heart Foundation has released a list of shops that will close. The North East locations are in Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham. This comes as ChronicleLive recently listed the North East Lloyds and Halifax bank branches closing in 2026.

British Heart Foundation said it would "continue to operate a large national network of shops and online retail channels, including eBay and our website, and will continue to evolve retail operations to reflect changing customer shopping behaviours and donor habits in the years ahead". Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive, said in June: “Our shops mean so much to our colleagues, brilliant volunteers and communities across the UK.

"They are places where people come together to donate, shop and volunteer, helping to make a real difference to lives affected by cardiovascular disease. We know this will be a difficult time for our dedicated colleagues and volunteers in affected stores and emphasise our deep appreciation and gratitude for all they have done for BHF and the communities they serve.

"Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the UK’s biggest killers and our priority is funding research to save lives. We must take the difficult step to close some of our shops to sustain retail’s important contribution to funding BHF’s groundbreaking research."

Supporters will still be able to shop as normal and donate items while affected stores remain open. After the closures take place, the charity will continue to take donations through nearby shops, donation points, home collection services in some areas, and online post to donate options.

According to British Heart Foundation, the following stores are earmarked for closure:

• Blyth - 24 Regent Street, NE24 1LP
• Consett - 6 Middle Street, DH8 5QJ
• Durham - 79 North Road, DH1 4SQ
• Newton Aycliffe - 40 Beveridge Way, DL5 4DS
• South Shields - 77 King Street, NE33 1DP
• Sunderland - 37 Blandford Street, SR1 3JH

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