A MAJOR charity shop chain is closing two more sites this week on top of 77 branches that have already been axed.
The chain, which had 138 stores across England and Wales, has already shut more than 50 shops this year.
In the latest blow to Scope, its shops in Stourbridge and Folkestone will join the other shuttered locations this week.
The Stourbridge store will close its doors for the final time on Thursday, November 20, while the Folkestone location will say its last goodbyes on Saturday, November 22.
The announcement comes after the shops in Gillingham Twydall Green and in Stamford Hill were both shut for good last month, following numerous other store closures across the country.
Scope’s Head of Retail Debbie Boylen said the charity was devastated to confirm the closures.
“Scope has been campaigning for disability equality for over 70 years,” she 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 the [Stourbridge and Folkestone] charity shops will close this November.”
Boylen said the charity appreciated the “incredible support from … wonderful and generous communities”.
“We never take the decision to close our stores lightly,” she said.
She said the charity recognised that for workers and volunteers, it 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.
“Scope continues to have a future on the high street and our shops will continue to be a place where we directly engage with our local communities, where they can find out about Scope’s work and join our movement for change.”
Scope has been shutting branches since early March, following a consultation process earlier this year.
This included six closures before the end of the consultation.
A final set of closures followed in summer as ten stores shut for good by June 29, one closed on July 19 and four were axed by August 19.
Scope began to shutter stores earlier this year in order to focus on its most profitable shops.
A number of loss-making shops have since been closed, which has led to a number of job losses.
