Formby British Heart Foundation charity shop to close as charity announces 87 store closures across the UK

It is sad news for Formby, with the British Heart Foundation confirming that its Formby charity shop at 1 The Cloisters, Halsall Lane, L37 3PX is among 87 shops set to close by March 2027.

The closures form part of a wider restructuring programme that will see 150 British Heart Foundation stores close over the next two financial years.

The charity says the decision has been made following a detailed review of its retail estate, with rising operating costs and changing customer shopping habits leaving some stores no longer financially viable. The plans also include a proposed reduction in the central teams and functions that support its retail operation.

The Formby shop has been a familiar presence in the village for many years, with local residents regularly donating unwanted items, volunteering their time and supporting the charity through purchases. The news is likely to come as a disappointment to many in the community who have helped raise vital funds for life saving cardiovascular research.

Full list of British Heart Foundation charity shops closing by March 2027

• Armley

• Aberdare

• Alfreton

• Ashton-under-Lyne

• Abingdon

• Ashbourne

• Alfreton Home Store

• Bedworth

• Burnley

• Blyth

• Beckenham

• Balham

• Barnet

• Bath

• Brighton Home Store

• Bangor

• Blackpool

• Cannock

• Clacton

• Coalville

• Christchurch

• Cleveleys

• Consett

• Chorley

• Camden

• Crawley Home Store

• Chesterfield

• Chatham Home Store

• Dunstable

• Durham

• Dumfries

• Dewsbury

• Dalkeith

• Dumfries Home Store

• Eastbourne

• Elgin

• Eccles

• Finchley

• Falmouth

• Fulham

• Fakenham

• Formby

• Grays

• High Wycombe

• Hawick

• Harlow

• Hammersmith

• Huyton

• Hornchurch

• Helston

• Holsworthy

• Hartlepool Home Store

• Harpurhey Home Store

• Hull Home Store

• Hereford

• Harrow Home Store

• Ilkeston

• Keighley

• Kendal

• Long Eaton

• Long Eaton Home Store

• Llanelli Home Store

• Minehead

• Newbury

• Newton Aycliffe

• New Milton

• Nuneaton Home Store

• Newport

• Ormskirk

• Plymouth

• Poole Home Store

• Perry Barr Home Store

• Rhyl

• Rayleigh

• Shrewsbury

• Spalding

• South Shields

• Stockton-on-Tees

• Sunderland

• Swansea

• Salford Home Store

• Sutton Coldfield

• Salisbury

• Uckfield

• West Bromwich (CLR)

• Worksop Home Store

• Wrexham Home Store

British Heart Foundation Chief Executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: “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.”

Despite the closures, the charity says it remains in a healthy financial position, with continued strong fundraising and legacy income. It will continue operating a large national network of charity shops alongside its online retail channels, including its website and eBay store.

Chief Commercial Officer Allison Swaine-Hughes added: “Our success to date has been shaped by the dedication and contribution of our teams across the UK and this has been an incredibly difficult decision following a thorough and careful review.”

“We recognise how challenging this will be especially for colleagues whose roles are affected and we are committed to supporting everyone impacted.”

“We must act now to ensure a sustainable future for BHF retail.”

“Change is essential so we can continue to serve communities across the UK and raise the funds that power our lifesaving research.”

“This is about protecting our mission for the long term, even when the decisions in the shorter term are hard.”

Supporters will still be able to shop and donate at the affected stores while they remain open. Once closures take place, donations can continue to be made at nearby British Heart Foundation shops, through donation points, home collection services in some areas, and via the charity’s online donation options.

For many people in #Formby, however, the closure marks the end of a much loved village charity shop that has served the community for years while helping to fund research into one of the UK’s biggest causes of death.