The well-known charity retailer Scope is closing two more of its shops this week, continuing a significant reduction of its high street presence across England and Wales.
Latest Closures Hit the Midlands and Kent
This latest round of closures sees the Stourbridge branch in the West Midlands closing its doors for the final time on November 20. This was swiftly followed by the Folkestone shop in Kent, which is set to shut down on November 22.
These shutdowns come just weeks after the charity concluded a major consultation process that led to the closure of 77 other shops. Scope, which once operated a vast network of 138 stores, has now shut down more than 50 locations this year alone as it refocuses its efforts.
A Strategic Shift Towards Profitability
The decision to close these stores is part of a strategic move by Scope to concentrate its resources on branches that are particularly profitable. Debbie Boylen, Head of Retail at Scope, expressed the difficulty of the decision.
She stated: “Having consulted with our colleagues and volunteers on proposals to close 77 of our shops, we’re very sad to confirm the [Stourbridge and Folkestone] charity shops will close this November.” She emphasised that the organisation never takes the decision to close stores lightly.
Recognising the Human Impact and Community Support
Ms Boylen was quick to commend the incredible support from local communities and acknowledged the profound impact on staff and volunteers. She recognised that for many, working at Scope was “more than just a job.”
“We know they feel passionately about playing their part in our work, creating an equal future with disabled people,” she added. “We will be doing everything we can to support them and our decision does not reflect their hard work and dedication to Scope.”
Despite the closures, Scope affirms its commitment to maintaining a future on the high street. Its remaining shops will continue to serve as vital hubs for engaging with local communities, raising awareness about the charity's mission for disability equality, and generating income to support disabled people and their families.
