Sad sign of the times as charity shop to shut in NewcastleCancer Research UK is shutting one of its town centre storesView Image The Cancer Research UK shop on Ironmarket, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, pictured during the coronavirus pandemicCharity Cancer Research UK is shutting 190 of its shops - including one in North Staffordshire. The Newcastle-under-Lyme branch - on Ironmarket - is on an initial list of 88 shops to be closed by May. Cancer Research UK has blamed higher national insurance contributions, inflationary pressures, changing consumer habits, reduced footfall, and growing competition for the decisions. Article continues belowCancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: "Without action, we predict many of our shops will become unprofitable. A smaller, high-performing retail operation will mean we will fund more life-saving cancer research and better serve our customers, staff and volunteers.