Mencap has taken on four shops previously operated by the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), which closed in December due to financial challenges.
In its announcement, Mencap said it would reopen QEF’s shops under its own branding in Chessington, Stoneleigh, Shepperton and Claygate, all of which are in Surrey or south-west London.
It also plans to take on retail staff who were previously employed by QEF, a charity named after the late Queen Mother and set up 90 years ago, which ran around 15 shops overall.
Mencap told Civil Society its four new shops, and others that it hopes to open this year, would contribute to its aim to double its retail network from 30 to 60 by 2030.
‘We’re seeing real opportunities for growth’
Mencap’s plans for new shops form part of its upcoming strategy and come as other charity retailers have reported closures amid lower profits and concerns over national insurance changes introduced last year.
Linsey Wild, head of retail and trading at Mencap, said: “Retail is facing challenges right now, but we’re also seeing real opportunities for growth.
“We’ve recently opened four new Mencap shops and plan to open several more in the coming months.
“In the context of a cost-of-living crisis, when sustainability is becoming a growing trend, shopping habits are evolving.
“Our store model and locations mean we can stay profitable while continuing to deliver good customer service and quality stock.
“Expanding now makes good business sense and moves us closer to our ambitious goal of doubling the number of Mencap shops by 2030.
“We’re confident that we have the right shops and teams in place to raise more money to support people with a learning disability to live the life they choose.
“People with a learning disability also volunteer in every one of our stores, where they can gain valuable skills and experience.
“And shoppers have the chance to meet people with a learning disability and challenge their own ideas about what people can achieve.”
