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Joules Announces Salisbury Store Closure Amidst Retail Restructuring
The fashion retail sector is experiencing another high street departure as iconic British brand Joules confirms the closure of its Salisbury store. The branch, operating for 13 years, will cease trading this weekend. Founded in 1989 by Tom Joule, the company, known for its clothing, accessories and homeware, markets itself as distinctly British in design but has faced challenges in the competitive retail landscape.
Salisbury Store to Close its Doors
Customers in Salisbury, Wiltshire, will see the doors of their local Joules store close permanently this weekend. The shop, situated on New Canal, Salisbury, is scheduled to cease operations on Monday, April 21st, following what senior management described as a “difficult decision.”
A notice displayed in the window informed shoppers of the impending closure, stating: “This store is closing. We’ve taken the decision to close this store on April 21.” The sign also expressed gratitude to customers: “We’d like to thank you for supporting us over the years.” Patrons were also directed to the brand’s online platform, with a reminder: “And remember, you can always find us online at joules.com.”
Local Reaction to High Street Departure
The news has elicited disappointment amongst local residents, lamenting the departure of yet another retail outlet from the city centre.
Social media users voiced their concerns, with one Facebook user commenting: “Another store shutting down! Salisbury needs to address the issues before the city centre declines. Parking is overly expensive, and restrictions are too severe!”
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Another individual added: “It’s sad to see another good shop leaving the city; soon there will be no reason to visit.”
Company Statement and Background
Tom Joule, founder of the fashion chain, described the decision to close the Salisbury location as “difficult” following a “thorough review of retail operations.”
This store closure occurs two years after significant financial restructuring within the company.
In 2022, Joules entered administration but was subsequently acquired by Next in 2023 for £34 million.
Following the acquisition, Next‘s CEO, Lord Simon Wolfson, expressed optimism about Joules‘ future, citing the combination of Joules‘ “exceptional product, marketing and brand-building skills” with “Next‘s Total Platform infrastructure.”
Broader Restructuring Affects Multiple Locations
While the acquisition by Next prevented the closure of 100 stores, approximately 19 locations were identified for permanent closure, impacting 133 positions across the UK.
Several Joules stores, including the Stratford, London, branch, have closed in the last year as part of broader restructuring efforts.
Earlier this year, closures included the Oban, Scotland, store in February and the Bracknell, Lexicon shopping centre location in January.
Request for Comment
Representatives at Joules have been approached for further comments regarding the Salisbury closure.