The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has published a list of the first 87 stores it will shut down, as part of its multi-year closure plan intended to cut costs.

Stores across England, Scotland, and Wales have been affected by the plans, including sites in Bath, Dumfries, London, Manchester, and Swansea.

Several BHF Home stores, which sell furniture and homeware, are also affected including in Brighton, Crawley, and Salford.

The charity notified affected workers at the locations prior to making its announcement.

In June, the BHF announced it would close 150 stores by March 2028, with an initial tranche of 90 expected to close by March 2027. At the time, it said the move would ensure its retail operations “remains strong and sustainable,” adding that the charity’s overall financial position is healthy.

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF, said that this would be a “difficult time” for colleagues and volunteers and said the organisation is grateful for all they have done.

“Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment,” she said. “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.”

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