OVER AND OUT
‘Sorry to let you know’ says high street retailer with 200 shops closing branch in weeks – and it’s not B&M or Poundland
A handful of other retailers have announced planned closures for this year
A MAJOR discount retailer with 200 stores nationwide will pull the plug on one of its outlets within weeks.
The Original Factory Shop will be closing its Upper Market Street store in Fakenham, Norfolk for the final time on February 18.
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The discounter sells a range of bargain items from homeware to stationery.
It has been running since 1969 and has around 190 stores across the UK.
A spokesperson for The Original Factory Shop, said: “We regularly review the stores across our estate and unfortunately have taken the decision to close our Fakenham store.
“We are consulting with colleagues at the store and are working hard to support all of those affected.
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“We’d like to thank all our customers for their support and look forward to welcoming them at any of our other four stores, which are all located within 20 miles.”
The shop was derelict for four years after a horror blaze in 2014 gutted the building, .
It was reopened four years later.
Richard Crook, chair of Active Fakenham, added: “This is sad news for Fakenham, particularly for the staff who work there who have been a tremendous help with the Info Hub and the support they provided.
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“The closure is a shame for the town and is going to leave a big gap in the marketplace for us.
“I am now looking for a venue for the Info Hub to move to. If any business is interested they can contact me at my email.
"This hub provides a service to locals and visitors, can help increase footfall, and it is good for Fakenham to have this service running.”
The high street has been in turmoil over the past year.
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 having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
Homebase closed a store last year leaving it with just 93 stores remaining since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.
Poundstretcher closed multiple stores last year but also opened new stores in closed Wilko stores.
Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.
Superdry is said to be considering a "radical" restructuring including job losses after reporting poor Christmas sales.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
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Meanwhile, a major fast-food outlet with 1,000 restaurants is shutting one of its branches for good.
Plus, a bargain retailer has confirmed the sites in Stockton-on-Tees will shut next month.
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