SHUT DOWN
Major chain with 1,400 stores to shut ‘great’ store in HOURS as locals grumble ‘another one bites the dust’
Watch our video above on why retailers are closing stores
A MAJOR high street chain with 1,400 stores is set to pull the shutters down on one of its "great" stores for the final time today.
WHSmith will close its branch in Boscombe today after deciding it was no longer sustainable for them to continue trading.
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The store has served customers on the high street for more than 12 years with some shoppers remeber visiting the retailer "in the 70s" .
Locals took to Facebook to vent their frustration and disappointment at the loss of another retailer.
One user said: "Worked there in the 70s was very busy and great store to work in."
" Used to be a thriving, vibrant shop with over 20 members of staff," another commented.
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A third wrote: "I'll miss it."
While fourth added: "Such a shame, I know that most people just buy their books online or have ebook readers, but WHSmiths was such a great store."
The high street retailer also shut one of its stores in Huddersfield for good last month.
The branch had 50 per cent sale signs fitted in the shops window, much to the dismay of the residents who were sad to see their popular store vanish from the high street.
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A spokesperson for WHSmith told The Sun: "It is no longer sustainable to continue to trade from these locations and the decision has been taken to close the stores as a result of forthcoming lease expires.
“We are disappointed to be losing our presence in Huddersfield and Boscombe and we would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.
“We are also extremely grateful for the commitment of our in-store colleagues who we will support with this transition and redeploy to nearby stores, where possible.”
It comes after the stationary retailer pulled the shutters down on its branch in Margate High Street, Kent.
However, it's not all bad news for WHSmith fans, as the retailer recently announced plans to open 15 new stores in unlikely places.
WHSmith is focusing on the travel side of its business where sales are growing.
It plans to open new sites in airports and railway stations, as well as hospitals.
In an update this year to investors, the retailer said it's on track to open 15 stores this year, with a further 15 to follow "each year over the medium term".
It forms part of wider plans to open 110 new shops worldwide.
The retailer said it would be moving away from its high-street stores and has no plans to open any more.
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 to cut costs.
A number of major brands have crashed 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 April.
Administrators for Ted Baker have confirmed 15 sites across England will close permanently in a blow to the high street.
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Boots announced it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
M&S has also confirmed store closures and openings with plans to ensure it has the best store locations.
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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