High street chain closing 77 stores this year including three this weekend

At the time, the charity warned around 200 retail staff may be made redundant under the proposals, while approximately 2,000 volunteers would also be impacted

Charity shop chain Scope has closed three more high street branches this weekend.

The closures come as part of wider plans for the disability equality charity to shut 77 shops this year, after the charity forecast a £1.5million loss this financial year.

The stores that have closed this weekend are located in Morden, Torquay and Washington. Scope had 138 shops at the time of launching a consultation into the closures in January this year.

At the time, the charity warned around 200 retail staff may be made redundant under the proposals, while approximately 2,000 volunteers would also be impacted.

The Sun reports that 59 Scope shuts have closed so far this year. You can find a full list of locations and to check if your local is affected below.

Debbie Boylen, head of retail at Scope, said: “Our shops have helped us raise vital income to support our work with disabled people and their families.

“Having consulted with our colleagues and volunteers on proposals to close 77 of our shops, we’re very sad to confirm our shops in Morden, Torquay and Washington will close on Saturday, 6 December.“

Mark Hodgkinson, chief executive of Scope, said: “Despite our teams’ best efforts our shops are collectively now losing money when taking account of all of their costs. A number make strong profits but there are loss making shops too.

“This situation isn’t confined to Scope. All retailers have been hit with a greater shift to online shopping. And we are facing rising rents, soaring energy costs, increased staff costs, and the cost of living squeezing customers.

“As a result, and to ensure our funds are best focused upon our charitable purpose, we have let our teams know that we will be putting forward proposals to close some of our shops, in stages, over the next 18 months.”