WHSmith and House of Fraser amongst excessive avenue giants to close shops this month
Another swathe of major high street shops are set to close across the UK – the latest blow to already battered towns and cities across the country.
Several major high street names have either closed masses of stores or disappeared from the high street altogether in recent months. From WHSmith, Costa, Tesco and Sainsbury’s closing multiple branches, to brands such as Morphe and Ted Baker disappearing entirely – 2024 has not been kind to the high street.
Retail Research revealed earlier this month how many members of the British public have lost their jobs from the constant closures. They calculated that a whopping 15,359 employees have been affected by 759 stores closing up until the end of August.
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And the number for September is set to rise, however, as House of Fraser, Poundland and Trespass are among those set to close stores over the next few weeks and months.
(Image: Getty Images)
House of Fraser
The Mike Ashley-owned megastore is closing two huge branches before the end of this year. Its Bluewater shopping centre branch in Kent will shut on November 27, while the show in Darlington will close before the end of the year – although an exact date hasn’t yet been given.
The closure of the former has been lamented by officials in Kent, with The Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce warning it will be horrific for locals. Chief Executive Tudor Price said: “Customers may stop returning once they realise the anchor store is no longer there.”
Next was rumoured to be taking it over, but that has not yet been confirmed.
Tresspass
Outdoor specialists Trespass has confirmed that its branch in Silverburn, Glasgow, is coming “soon”. Closing down signs appeared last week, with an “everything must go” sale underway, although an exact closing date has not yet been confirmed.
It comes just two weeks after the branch in Castle Quarter, Norwich closed, with Paul McCarthy, general manager at the Chantry Place shopping centre, confirming: “Trespass is leaving the centre and we are in talks with other retailers about the space.”
(Image: Get Reading)
Poundland
A branch of Poundland In Leeds city centre is closing – but not as soon as first thought.
Last week, it was reported that the branch based at The Core, in Lands Lane, was due to close this month. This is part of the ongoing changes which will see the shopping centre demolished and replaced by student flats.
However, the store has been granted an extension which will see it remain open until the end of the year, and it will now close on Tuesday, December 24 – not exactly a Merry Christmas for staff at the branch.
(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
WHSmith
Having already closed several branches this year – while opening a coffee shop and a café – WHSmith has confirmed that its store in March, Cambridgeshire, will be closing at the start of the next year.
The Broad Street branch will sell its final piece of stationary on January 25, 2025. A spokesperson for WHSmith said: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in March will be closing on Saturday 25 January 2025. We are disappointed to be losing our presence in March 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.”
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