‘Our town is a dump now’ shoppers cry as bargain chain with over 500 shops shuts doors on branch forever in just HOURS

SHOPPERS say their town is now "a dump" as a bargain chain with over 500 branches is set to shut in just hours.

The Works in Fforestfach Retail Park, Swansea, will close on Saturday April 20.

It was "loved" by locals but the firm, which sells anything from books to craft materials, says it couldn't agree a new lease.

Its shuttering sparked fury online, with some saying their town has gone to the dogs.

Carol Poul wrote on Facebook: "Loved this shop, so sad, we only have vape shops and charity shops.

"It's time lease holders stopped being greedy, or the council, where the councillors?

"Swansea is a dump now, compared to the lovely shops we had."

While Jo Freeman said: "Looks like a ghost town. So sad because it used to have great shops."

Confirming the closure, The Works said: "This has been a great location for The Works but sadly we have been unable to agree suitable lease terms to stay.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this closure and would like to thank customers for shopping at the store over the years."

All staff at the branch will be redeployed to nearby stores meaning there will be no job losses, the firm said.

The closure left other locals reminiscing about the good old days of shopfront retail.

Ekay Wu noted how the store was the "best place to go back in the day".

Another said the dawn of internet shopping had crippled shops in Swansea.

While one offered a grim retail forecast, chiming: "It’ll be a kebab shop and barbers within a few weeks."

The Works was founded in 1981 and has more than 500 stores nationwide.

Dean Hoyle, chairman of Huddersfield Town FC and founder of Card Factory, stepped down as chairman of The Works in 2021.

The Works were approached for comment.