SHUTTERS DOWN
‘We’ll have nothing left’ as retail institution with 200 locations to close doors on ‘friendly’ branch forever in HOURS
The retailer has been a name on the high street for more than 130 years
A MAJOR electrical goods store is to pull the shutters down on one of its branches in just hours.
Currys is closing its Weymouth store today much to shoppers' dismay.
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The nearest stores for shoppers will now be the Currys Dorchester branch or its Poole branch.
A spokesperson for Currys previously told The Sun: "We can confirm that our Weymouth store will be closing on March 1 as the lease comes to an end.
"Colleagues impacted have been made aware of this decision and will be redeployed to local stores such as Dorchester or Poole if they wish.
"We will also support them if they choose to move to another business.”
Read more on store closures
Locals took to Facebook to share their disappointment at hearing the news.
One user said: “You can’t fight it. The world has changed.”
“That's it close to another shop” said another Facebook user.
A third user chimed in: “Ghost town.”
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“Weymouth is going to have nothing left,” declared this user.
Someone on Google said: "The staff are friendly."
Currys is more than 130 years old, though back in the 1800's its stock was very different from the advanced tech it sells today - one of its most popular items used to be bicycles.
The retailer was bought by Dixon's in 1984 and merged with PC World in 2014.
The retailer has over 300 stores across the UK and over 800 across eight different countries.
Some retailers like Currys may close stores here and there for various reasons, for example in this case where a lease has come to an end.
Other examples of one-off rather than widespread closures is if a there are changes in the area, like a shopping centre closing, or if it is relocating to another area.
Some chains have faced tougher conditions though, forcing them to shut dozens of stores.
What is happening to the high street?
Many retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.
The pandemic was a tough blow as many stores had to close during lockdown.
Since then 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.
The Body Shop is currently going through administration and announced plans to close half of its 198 stores with seven already closing last week.
Retailers closing stores in 2024
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 are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
Here's a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:
- Argos - The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
- B&Q - The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, so chances are you have one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
- Boots - The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer's estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
- Clintons - Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We've listed the stores affected.
- Costa Coffee - The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you'll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We've revealed which stores are due to close this year.
- Iceland - The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
- Lidl - The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
- M&S - M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It's not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops as well.
- Trespass - The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
- WHSmith - The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
WHSmith told The Sun it has no plans to open anymore more high street stores as it wants to focus on the travel side of its business.
Troubled fashion brand Superdry has said it is looking at various "cost-saving options" after reports it is considering a major restructuring which could include store closures and job cuts.
Major banks have also announced multiple branch closures.
Barclays is to start pulling the shutters down on 14 sites in England, three in Wales and three in Scotland as soon as April.
Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.
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