Iconic British charity begins nationwide store closures as 190 shops set to leave high street

Cancer Research UK has closed its Aberdeen branch on Rosemount Viaduct today as part of a sweeping restructuring programme that will see 190 stores shut permanently across Britain by 2027.

The Aberdeen closure forms part of an initial wave of 90 shop shutdowns scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.

The charity first announced the retail overhaul in October 2025, citing mounting financial pressures facing high street operations across the country.

Nine Scottish stores were included in the first phase of closures, with branches in Falkirk, Airdrie, Galashiels, Clydebank and Glasgow already shutting permanently.

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Stores in Perth, Coatbridge and Edinburgh are also due to close later this month.

Cancer Research UK confirmed that a further 100 shops will close by April 2027 as part of the long‑term restructuring plan.

The charity said stores were selected based on financial performance, lease agreements and their geographical position within its wider retail network.

Rising operational costs and inflationary pressures have placed increasing strain on shop profitability.

The charity also pointed to changing consumer behaviour, declining footfall on Britain’s high streets and growing competition from online resale platforms as major factors behind the closures.

Without intervention, it warned, many stores would become loss‑making.

Cancer Research UK also shut down its online marketplace earlier this year, meaning it no longer sells pre‑owned items through external resale websites.

The charity described the changes as a response to the “evolving external and retail environment” affecting the sector.

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Despite the closures, Cancer Research UK said it would continue operating through 320 higher‑performing shops across Britain.

The organisation is also expanding its out‑of‑town retail presence, with plans to open 12 new superstores designed to meet demand for larger, value‑focused shopping spaces.

The restructuring programme is expected to generate an additional £12.4million for scientific research over the next five years.

Michelle Mitchell, the charity’s chief executive, acknowledged the impact the closures would have on staff, volunteers and local communities.

“Without action, we predict many of our shops will become unprofitable.”

She added that a smaller, high‑performing retail operation would allow the charity to fund more life‑saving cancer research and better serve customers, staff and volunteers.

She said the decisions had been taken following extensive consideration.

“This news will be difficult,” she said, adding that the charity was committed to supporting everyone affected and would provide clear information throughout the process.

Cancer Research UK thanked supporters, volunteers and employees for their continued contribution to its fundraising and scientific work.

The organisation said concentrating resources into fewer but stronger‑performing locations would ultimately allow more money to be directed towards cancer research projects across Britain.

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