SHUTTERS DOWN
‘Another one bites the dust’ as high street retailer with 500 locations announces store will close permanently
One customer branded the closure "terrible" news
SHOPPERS have cried "another ones bites the dust" after a retailer with 480 locations confirmed it is permanently closing one of its stores.
Next Home is set to pull down the shutters on its branch at the Crescent Link Retail Park in Derry, Northern Ireland, next year.
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The homeware and furniture store will close to customers for good in February.
A spokesperson for the retailer said the store is closing after its lease came to an end.
They added impacted staff were being offered new roles at nearby stores, with some having already secured new positions.
Shoppers have shared their devastation following the announcement of the closure.
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One said: "Another one bites the dust...Got to sort this economy out and fast."
Meanwhile, a second said: "So so sad, what a fantastic store and will be so missed. Just love my furniture I bought in recent years."
A third added: "I absolutely love this shop and am gutted it's closing....picked up some great things there."
A fourth disgruntled customer said: "One of the consequences of online shopping. So sad to read this!"
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A fifth simply said: "Terrible."
It comes after Next confirmed plans to close 11 stores this year in a blow to shoppers.
Six of the stores are not expected to reach their target margins, while two are site redevelopments.
The remaining three are closing because an agreement couldn't be reached with the site's landlord.
Next isn't the only retailer closing stores across the UK either.
A number of high street retailers have been hit hard as consumers increasingly turn to online shopping.
Figures from the British Retail Consortium reveal 6,000 retail outlets have closed their doors for good in the last five years.
The trade association said the closures are in part due to "crippling" business rates and the impact of Covid lockdowns.
A number of well-known brands, including Cath Kidston, Wilko and Paperchase have all gone into administration this year.
Other chains have survived but have still had to close branches, including Sainsbury's and New Look.
But it's not all bad news as some chains have been expanding their presence on the high street too, including Next.
The retailer has opened five new Clearance stores this year.
The outlets are different to normal Next stores in that they feature a selection of outlet products, past season collections and clearance items at discounted prices you can't buy anywhere else.
Meanwhile, Clarks has opened eight branches across the UK this year, including in Taunton, Reigate, Manchester and London.
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In July, B&M said it would open several new branches within weeks following a string of closures.
Poundland also has plans to open 75 new stores by Christmas, with many popping up in former Wilko sites.
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