SHUTTERS DOWN
‘Days of retail are numbered’ moan bargain fans as department store with 14 branches to close ‘friendly’ store for good
The store was more than 10 years old
A POPULAR department store has confirmed it is due to close one of its 14 branches leaving shoppers furious.
TJ Hughes which stocks home appliances, clothes and even furniture is closing one of its department stores later this summer.
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According to local media, the store located in the Widnes market hall is due to close its doors for good in June 2024.
The store had been in the town for more than a decade and it's one of the few stores that has remained since the brand went into administration in 2011.
The Sun has reached out to TJ Huges for comment.
Locals took to Facebook to vent their anger and frustration after hearing the news.
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One user said: “I use it regularly for garden stuff, bedding, towels especially Christmas, so such a shame.”
“Seriously! Take the bloody car park charges away! I love the quilts and pillows! I really feel for the staff who have been there such a long time, moaned another user.
“No way, I love this shop,” cried a third user.
A fourth user claimed: “Staff was friendly and helpful.”
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“Sadly days of retail are numbered ... Amazon and Costco style outlets in the future,” warned someone else.
What is happening to the high street?
The high street has been hit hard in recent years as shoppers increasingly turn to online retail.
High energy costs and business rates have further piled pressure on businesses.
This has left some remaining retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores.
Several major brands have fallen into administration since the start of 2023, including Wilko and Paperchase.
This year, The Body Shop fell into administration and it has seen dozens of branches close, 82 will have shut in total by the end of the month.
Administrators for Ted Baker have confirmed 15 sites across England will close permanently in a blow to the high street.
Boots announced it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
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.
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