‘Such a pity’ sob fans as major DIY retailer with over 300 shops to close ‘essential’ store after 12 years

A MAJOR DIY retailer with over 300 stores is closing an "essential" shop.

B&Q will shut its Sudbury store in Suffolk later this summer due to the expiry of the lease.

The landlord has secured planning permission to redevelop the site and occupy the B&Q unit.

The store's proposed closure date is July 20.

Reacting to the news on Facebook, one local shopper said: "I suppose the lack of investment in maintaining the potholed car park was a telltale sign - pity as it was a useful store."

Another said: "I hope they find alternative premises!"

"If it closes permanently, that's a real shame. I guess it’ll be a drive to Bury from now on," said a third shopper.

Richard Walgate, director of central division at B&Q said: "We're disappointed to be proposing to close our store in Sudbury on July 20 this year, due to the expiry of the lease.

"Our team of 32 B&Q colleagues have been serving the Sudbury community, helping them to improve and enjoy their homes, for over 12 years.

"They would very much like to continue to serve the local residents and we are continuing to look for an alternative store location in the area.

"In the meantime, we look forward to continuing to welcome our Sudbury customers to our Woodhall Business Park store, and I would like to thank our colleagues for their ongoing hard work and commitment."

The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, so chances are you have one near you.

Last year B&Q closed several shops within Asda supermarkets.

The store teamed up with Asda in 2020 to launch these "mini-shops" inside supermarkets.

But all eight of these sites closed on March 11, 2023 in:

• Sheffield Drakehouse
• Dagenham
• Roehampton
• Edmonton
• Thurmaston
• Great Bridge
• Lancaster
• Hartlepool

Shops contained a large number of B&Q's usual products, and customers could go to pick up orders from some branches.

B&Q said the move was due to changes in shopper behaviour caused by the pandemic, which has seen people tie multiple shops into one single trip.

The 57 staff affected by the shake-up were offered alternative roles in nearby stores.

The DIY retailer opened new convenience-style stores last year, offering 30,000 new products.

They're small high street stores called B&Q Locals and customers can access everything they’d expect to see at a bigger B&Q store.

All shops offer either immediate collection in store or to order for click and collect within an hour or the next day.

The chain is said to be considering opening 50 more of these shops.

Other high street closures

Retailers have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.

High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year and more are on their way.

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

Last week, The Body Shop confirmed it has gone into administration, putting 200 stores at risk of closure.

The Sun has compiled a complete list of The Body Shop stores in the UK at risk of being lost forever.

But there is a glimmer of hope as official figures revealed that shops have returned from a record poor performance in December.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that retail sales volumes, including online retailers, rose 3.4% during January, up from a fall of 3.3% in December.

It was the fastest rise since April 2021, when non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen following the third national lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic.

Several big-name chains are pulling down the shutters for the final time this month.

Lidl and Iceland are closing branches between now and February 29.

Matalan, which currently runs over 230 UK stores, is pulling down the shutters on one of its sites before the end of the month.

The retailer, known for selling everything from clothing to home and kidswear, is closing its store in The Core Shopping Centre on The Headrow, Leeds, on February 24, according to local news reports.

Boots has also revealed it is closing 300 stores over the next year as part of its plans to evolve its brand.