‘Exodus continues’ as shoe shop with 320 stores closes location for final time today
FAMILIES have been dealt a blow after a shoe shop with 320 stores closed a location for the final time today.
Footwear giant Clarks announced another one of its branches would shut up shop later this year amid an ongoing battle high street chains continue to face.
The retailer pulled down the shutters on its branch in Murrygate, Dundee, in July.
Shortly after, the branch in Fareham shopping centre was shut for good on August 5 and Inverness in September.
It also closed its shop in Grimsby at the end of October and store in Newcastle under Lyme on November 3.
And today, the site in Newport Retail Park, Wales, will stop trading.
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It comes after two stores in Ashford and Gillingham, in Kent, were forced to close at the end of 2022.
A spokesperson for Clarks told the : "Clarks confirms its store at the Newport Retail Park, Newport, will close in late 2023.
"We have a strong duty of care to all our employees, and we are working closely with the store team as they now go through a period of consultation.
"Customers can continue to shop from our full range of products online and at our nearby Clarks stores in Cwmbran, Caerphilly, and Cardiff."
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Reacting to the news on social media, one shopper posted on Facebook and said: "Oh no this is such a shame!"
Another shopper said: "Another one bites the dust."
"The exodus continues," said a third shopper.
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.
Several noticeable brands have gone bust completely this year too, including Wilko, Paperchase, M&Co and Cath Kidston.