Yorkshire Cancer Research opens new flagship store in York

Yorkshire Cancer Research has opened a landmark new superstore in York, marking a major milestone in the charity’s mission to bring more cancer cures to Yorkshire.

Expanding the charity’s presence into the heart of York’s historic city centre, the new flagship store in Foss Island Retail Park spans 13,000 square ft, making it the largest Yorkshire Cancer Research shop to date. The opening is a crucial next step in the charity’s ambition to grow its presence of shops across the region and raise vital income for life-saving cancer research in Yorkshire.  

The York superstore transforms traditional charity shopping into an immersive community-focused experience where people can purchase a variety of stylish high-quality items, donate their pre-loved goods and volunteer to help save lives in Yorkshire.

Every week in York, 24 people are told they have cancer, and sadly, 9 people die. The York superstore is estimated to raise over £175,000 to help fund life-saving cancer research and services in Yorkshire in the next year, so people in the region can live longer, healthier lives, free of cancer.

The York superstore brings together three carefully designed shopping areas under one roof. On the ground floor, visitors can uncover a treasure trove of clothing, shoes and accessories across ladies’ and men’s fashion. Those seeking standout items for their home can browse a dedicated small homewares section and picture gallery showcasing unique pieces. 

Upstairs, people can discover a vast array of books to delve into, alongside a colourful collection of children’s clothing and toys, and a dedicated vintage area offering classic vinyl and other retro products.

The upstairs floor has been designed with the community in mind, with open seated spaces for people to meet others and take a moment to unwind in a welcoming environment. A designated room will also be available for local groups to use later in the year.

Featuring displays showcasing York’s iconic landmarks and landscapes, the new flagship store signifies the next chapter in the charity’s 60-year legacy of raising vital funds for pioneering cancer research through its shops.

As a committed member of her local Yorkshire Cancer Research volunteer fundraising group for over a decade, Emma Jackson from York has witnessed the life-saving impact of the charity’s work and is enthusiastic about the difference the new superstore will make for people impacted by cancer in Yorkshire. As well as organising cake stalls, quizzes and afternoon teas, Emma has contributed to ten years of pioneering developments in cancer research by using her experience of cancer to help others.

Following her bowel cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2022, Emma became a Patient Representative for the Yorkshire Cancer Research Bowel Cancer Improvement Programme, a study which aims to assess and improve the ways bowel cancer diagnosis and treatment is delivered across Yorkshire. Emma now plays a vital role ensuring the voices and needs of people with bowel cancer in Yorkshire are heard. 

Yorkshire Cancer Research has placed charity supporters at the heart of the York superstore, with light boxes and a photo feature wall showcasing some of the fundraisers, volunteers and people affected by cancer who make a vital contribution to its life-saving work.

This includes Vallentyne Mandoza, a committed volunteer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, who has dedicated himself to support life-saving cancer research since moving to Yorkshire from South Africa in 2022. Vallentyne first started as a volunteer at one of the charity’s retail shops before volunteering with his 13-year-old son, Christian, to cheer on runners at fundraising events.

In his latest volunteer role on the charity’s Research Advisory Panel, Vallentyne unites with people from across Yorkshire to review funding applications for cancer research programmes. Vallentyne brings with him the vital perspectives of those who often experience poorer cancer outcomes from his time working in communities which have higher levels of deprivation. By opening up conversations about cancer, Vallentyne plays a necessary part in highlighting the cancer challenges many people face.

Vallentyne said: “The Yorkshire Cancer Research superstore is superb. There’s a wonderous amount of finds to discover, with so many vibrant displays. Walking inside this shop is like stepping into the future, full of pre-loved products. You get the sense that every visit will be different, and every purchase will help make change in Yorkshire.” 

Yorkshire Cancer Research could not bring life-saving cancer research to people in Yorkshire without the commitment and passion of its shop teams and hundreds of volunteers. By helping to sort donations, create eye-catching displays and warmly greet anyone who walks through its doors, the York superstore team - the biggest shop team to date - will play a crucial role in the charity’s mission to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire.

One of the many members of the volunteer team who play a vital part in the store is Chris Moss, from York, who volunteers in memory of her husband, Geoff. A retired childminder, 68-year-old Chris supported Geoff as he received treatment for throat, mouth and multiple skin cancers. After 40 years together, he sadly passed away in June 2025.  

For decades, Yorkshire Cancer Research has funded pioneering discoveries in York that have helped save lives in Yorkshire and beyond. In the early 1990s, the charity funded renowned researcher Professor Norman Maitland, whose work at the University of York led to significant advancements in prostate cancer treatment. During the same period, Professor Jo Milner led her team at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit in York to make ground-breaking discoveries in cancer genetics and the development of a world-first technique to eliminate cervical cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is funding £75m of ground-breaking research and services for the benefit of people living in Yorkshire, no matter who they are or where they live. The new superstore will help fund crucial research to ensure people living in the region can receive the best cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

This includes the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma (GTR) cancer study funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and led by researchers at the University of York, in collaboration with York Travellers Trust, Leeds GATE and Care for Young People’s Future, which aims to improve the cancer inequalities facing people in GTR communities.

Dr Sangeeta Chattoo, Senior Research Fellow at the University of York, said: “We are delighted to see Yorkshire Cancer Research open a new superstore in the city of York, helping to raise vital funds for research that benefits communities across Yorkshire.  The University of York, in partnership with York Travellers Trust, Leeds GATE and Care for Young People’s Future, is funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research to help improve early diagnosis, treatment outcomes and screening for common cancers among the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities living across Yorkshire.  This funding will help us use inclusive research methods to address some of the deep-seated discrimination and cancer inequalities faced by these communities.”

The Yorkshire Cancer Research superstore in York will join the charity’s growing network of 18 shops, marking an important stride towards the charity’s ambition to have a charity shop on every high street in Yorkshire.  

Tony Graham, Director of Retail, Services and Operations at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “The opening of the first Yorkshire Cancer Research superstore is a landmark development in the charity’s history of driving ground-breaking cancer breakthroughs across the region. None of this vital progress would be possible without the dedication and generosity of people from across the region, including those who shop, donate and volunteer in the charity’s shops.

“What began as a series of jumble sales organised by local charity supporters in 1965 led to the start of the charity’s first shop. Now, 60 years later, it’s thanks to supporters coming together – the researchers, the fundraisers and the volunteers – that Yorkshire Cancer Research is able to open its largest shop yet in York. The charity welcomes people from York and beyond to come shop and donate at the new superstore to help raise vital funds for life-saving cancer research and move us closer to a Yorkshire free from cancer.”

The new York superstore will be open from 9.30am to 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.