Cancer Research UK 'deeply grateful' to team ahead of Maidenhead shop closure

The director of trading for Cancer Research UK said the charity is ‘deeply grateful’ to staff, volunteers and customers as it prepares to close its Maidenhead High Street shop.

At the beginning of October, the charity which works to help beat cancer by funding research into prevention, diagnosis and treatment, released a list of 88 shops nationwide that would be closing by May next year over ‘rising costs and pressures’.

The Maidenhead shop at 101 High Street featured on the list, alongside the Slough town centre store at 8 Park Street, which has permanently closed.

The store in Maidenhead has been serving customers for a number of years.

The branches in Windsor, Sunningdale and Marlow do not feature on the list.

In the announcement, the charity revealed it is ‘reshaping’ its retail operations to ‘maximise impact’, including expanding its network of ‘out-of-town superstores’.

Signage has since gone up at the site of the Maidenhead store informing customers that it will be closing and advertising a closing down sale.

Julie Byard, director of trading at Cancer Research UK, said: “We are deeply grateful to our staff, volunteers and customers who have supported the Maidenhead shop over the years.

“Their dedication and generosity have helped fund vital cancer research and made a real difference to people affected by cancer.

“We know the news will be difficult, and we want to thank everyone for the incredible contribution they’ve made to our mission.

“Like many high street retailers, we’re facing rising costs and changing shopping habits. To continue funding life-saving research at the scale that’s needed, we need to change.”

She added that the decision to close the Maidenhead store is ‘part of a change to our retail chain’, one that will help ensure the charity maximises the money it raises for ‘life-saving cancer research’.

“If we don’t act now, many of our shops are likely to become financially unsustainable over the next five years.

“The decision is not a reflection of the outstanding work of our local teams. It’s a necessary step to ensure Cancer Research UK remains resilient and focused on the future.

“We are working closely with everyone impacted and will support them through this change. While the Maidenhead store may be closing, our commitment to beating cancer together remains stronger than ever.”

The nearest Cancer Research UK shops are in Marlow, Windsor, Sunningdale, Beaconsfield, High Wycombe, Henley, Wokingham, Gerrards Cross, and Reading.