CHILD’S PLAY
Major toy chain with 40 branches to close site as shoppers say ‘there will be no shops worth visiting’
The new shop taking over is set to be revealed in the coming weeks
TOY lovers are up in arms after a popular chain with 40 branches announced it will be closing its doors at a branch.
The Build-A-Bear workshop will be shutting its beloved unit in Derbion shopping centre, in Derby.
2
2
Devastated shoppers cried there would be "no shops worth visiting" anymore.
Those wanting to get their hands on a fluffy companion will need to race to the store before it's too late.
The Derby shop seems like a singular closure as no other Build-A-Bear shops have been affected.
No closure date has been announced yet, but the new vendor taking over the shopping centre premises should be announced soon.
Read more money stories
Beth McDonald, managing director of Derbion, commented: “We are sorry to confirm that Build-A-Bear is set to close its store in-centre. This is a commercial decision made by the brand and we wish its staff well.
“Following a raft of new openings, store refits and brands upsizing their existing spaces in the first half of this year, we continue to work hard to bring new and exciting stores to Derbion.
"We’ll be announcing who will be moving into the former Build-A-Bear unit over the coming weeks, and we look forward to sharing further exciting centre news soon.”
The news were shared on Facebook, with one heartbroken shopper saying: "There’ll be no shops worth visiting in Derby. Questionable whether there is now!
Most read in Money
"Such a shame, I used to love late night Christmas shopping in Derby when I was younger."
Another added: "Sadly, like most things, it became expensive."
Fashion chain to shut all shops
A third cried: "Ahhh sad news indeed. We’ve enjoyed a couple of parties there when our girls were younger and even now our oldest craves a Hello Kitty bear or a Pokemon themed ‘bear’.
"There is something about the ‘real’ experience that will be missed in this, online choosing of a bear and their clothing won't be the same."
Build-A-Bear Workshop is a retail company that allows customers to create and personalise their own stuffed animals.
Founded in 1997 by Maxine Clark in St. Louis, Missouri, the concept focuses on providing a hands-on, interactive experience.
Customers select a bear or other stuffed animal "skin," which is then stuffed, stitched, and personalised with clothing, accessories, and even recorded messages.
It comes after a high street fashion store set to shut its doors in days has launched a "closing down sale" with items massively reduced.
Diva, which sells low-cost womenswear, only opened on Watford High Street in February, but "closing down sale" signs appeared in the windows last month.
Now, new signs have been put up confirming the store will pull down the shutters on August 2, reports the
The business never had a website but stood out on the high street for one unique reason.
It had a large white facade bearing its name and enticed shoppers by advertising "1,000s of items for £10 or less".
Some retailers have closed a few branches here and there for various reasons, like when a store lease has come to an end.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Other examples of one-off rather than widespread closures is if there are changes in the area, like a shopping centre closing, and in some cases a branch will close to relocate to another area.
Some chains have faced tougher conditions though, forcing them to shut dozens of stores, or all of them in the worst case.
Retailers closing stores in 2024
RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.
Some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.
Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.
We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:
- 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, with two stores closing this year due to leases not being renewed. It has plans to open more in 2024 too.
- 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.
- 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 shut eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.
Topics