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A leading UK charity shop brand has confirmed the closure of four more of its locations after shuttering 45 stores in 2025. High street challenges and competition from online retailers were cited as reasons for the four further closures in a statement released by Barnardos UK.

The charity confirmed locations in Newton Aycliffe, Lancashire, Bishop's Stortford, and Coventry would be permanently closed by the end of this month. A spokesperson for the charity has confirmed that the four stores will be closed by the end of the month.

The Central Six Retail Park in Coventry location will be closed on Sunday, May 24. The Bishop's Stortford store marked for closure will hold its final day of operation on May 24 also, The Sun reported. Barnardos UK has confirmed the locations in Newton Aycliffe, Durham, and Kirkham, Lancashire, have already closed.

Barnardo's managing director Mark Gregory said: "In the last few years, there have been huge challenges for the UK high street, including increased operating costs for shops and reduced consumer spending, related to the economy and the cost-of-living crisis. As well as this, the rise in online platforms selling pre-loved clothing has impacted on the income of charity shops.

"Our shops provide vital income for our work with children, young people and families across the UK. We regularly review their performance and, where stores are not generating a positive contribution that we can invest in our work to change childhoods and change lives, then we have to make the difficult decision to close them.

"We're extremely grateful to all the wonderful colleagues who work in our shops, and especially to our incredible volunteers, to members of the public who make generous donations, and to everyone who shops with us whether on your local high street or online."

Barnardos is not the only charity shop to be hit with high street closures as the Helen & Douglas House confirmed the closure of one of its stores. The Helen & Douglas House charity shop in Market Place, Wokingham, will not see the lease on its shop renewed. Representatives for the charity, founded in 1982, confirmed the closure earlier this week.

Katie Stuart-Cox, director of retail and trading at Helen & Douglas House, said maintaining the store is "no longer financially viable" for the charity.

She said in a statement: "Sadly it is no longer financially viable to keep our Wokingham shop open. Helen & Douglas House has had a retail presence in the town for a number of years, and the decision to close the shop has not been taken lightly."

Barnardos has been contacted for comment.