By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

THE CHARITY announced  the closure of 200 of its retail outlets last October citing rising costs, inflationary pressures and shifting consumer habits, including the rise in employer national insurance contributions (NICs), and minimum wage increases introduced by the former Chancellor Rachel Reeves in 2024, as well as a reduced footfall on the high street and increasing competition from online resale platforms.

In addition to the shops, the charity is also ending its online sales whereby it sold donated items on online reselling platforms. However, it also noted that it was planning to add to its 46 larger, out-of-town shops, by opening another 12 “superstores” by 2028, which it said would meet increasing demand for spacious, value-focused shopping experiences. The Charity said in its latest report and accounts that the superstores, contribute more than seven times the profit of some of its shops.

As a result of these changes the charity said: “[We] will be closing operations in the Fleet and Warrington distribution centres and reducing the driver headcount supporting the retail business from October 2026.

“An announcement was made in May 2026, which specified the number of staff involved and the redundancy compensation package offered by the Charity, as well as amounts payable to those made redundant. The total restructuring costs are expected to be £1.3m, comprising £0.2m of staff restructuring costs and £1.1m of other costs, including costs of closing the distribution centres.

“We began reshaping our trading activities to protect their long-term sustainability, improve the experiences of our staff, volunteers and customers and increase the long-term financial contribution to research by more than £10m over the next five years.”

Cancer Research UK occupies some 23,021 ft2 of space in two units  at investor Columbia Threadneedle’s Quantum Business Park in Fleet. The property is currently being marketed by Colliers on assignment or sublease until February 2034. There is a tenants only break option in February 2029.

The property boasts 8m eaves as well as four level access doors (two per unit) and is situated approx. 1.5 miles from Fleet town centre.

The 12,818 ft2 warehouse unit in Warrington is located on Ribston’s Taylor Business Park. The charity took a lease on the refurbished facility in 2023. The property is available by way of sub lease or assignment with the current lease expiring 3rd January 2028 at a current rent of £94,000 a year (£7.33 per ft2) or alternatively, a new lease is available direct from the Landlord. Colliers is advising.