‘End of an era’ as iconic shoe retailer loved by parents to close bargain outlet store in HOURS

SHOPPERS have been left devastated as an iconic shoe shop loved by parents is set to close a bargain outlet store in hours.

The beloved shoe retailer announced that it is pulling down the shutters of one of its stores in Oxford.

Clarks - with 320 branches across the nation - is putting an end to its popular outlet store in Bicester Village.

Huge discounts signs of up to 60 per cent off selected items have been put up in store.

But customers will have to rush to snap up the last items in stock as they have a few hours left before the store closes for good today.

Although Clarks did not reveal the reason behind the sudden closure, bosses claimed other Oxfordshire-based units will remain open.

A spokesperson said: “Clarks confirms its store at the Bicester Outlet Village, will close at the end of December 2023.

"We have a strong duty of care to all our employees, and we are working closely with the store team as they go through a period of consultation.

"We thank them all for their dedication in serving our customers over the years.

"We’d like to thank our loyal customers who have shopped with us at our Bicester store, and we’ll be delighted to continue to serve them with our full range of products online and at our nearby Clarks stores in Oxford, Banbury and Witney.”

The shop was loved by parents for its affordable prices and wide range of school uniform options.

Posting on Facebook, many dubbed the move an "end of an era".

One user said: "Devastating. So Bicester Village have managed to push the one shop that was any use out.

"Please tell Clarks that they would be very welcome to move into Bicester Town centre. We're all here, waiting for them."

Another added: "What a terrible shame. One of the only reasons that local people visited Bicester Village."

Fuming parents now fear they will have nowhere to buy their children shoes in the area.

The closest store is around 13 miles away and it takes up to 35 minutes to drive.

One user slammed: "In a town of almost 38,000 people there is now nowhere to buy children's shoes and get their feet measured."

Another fumed: "That's the only shop in Bicester Village that I could afford to buy from."

Last month, Clarks also brought the shutters down on its site in Newport Retail Park amid an ongoing battle high street chains continue to face.

It came shortly after its branches in Norwich and Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Kent, were saved from closure.

Clarks had planned to close both stores for good but made a U-turn on the decision and decided they would remain open and continue to trade.

SHOPS UNDER PRESSURE

It comes as the Jack Wills shop in the Galleries shopping centre in Bristol will close its doors in January, leaving shoppers devastated.

And a major high street games retailer with 240 branches is gearing up to close one of its sites after signs appeared on the shop stating "store closing, all stock must go".

It comes as 6,000 retail outlets have brought down the shutters since 2018, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The trade association's chief executive Helen Dickinson OBE blamed the closures on "crippling" business rates and the impact of coronavirus lockdowns.

Several major brands have also collapsed, such as Wilko and Paperchase.

Many high street retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.

This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and have no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.

Next Home is set to pull down the shutters on its branch at the Crescent Link Retail Park in Derry, Northern Ireland, next year.

Jack Wills in Worcester announced it will be closing down for good this new year.