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The UK retail landscape has undergone a profound transformation recently, visibly reshaping high streets. While prominent national brands have supplanted many independent businesses and local establishments, several major chains are now grappling with the challenges posed by the surge in online shopping and evolving consumer preferences.
Retail Closures: Major Chains Affected
Recent data from the Centre for Retail Research indicates that several struggling businesses, including Homebase, Beales, Select Fashion, and Quiz Clothing, have collectively contributed to the closure of 206 stores. Further closures are slated for May, affecting well-known retailers such as Sainsbury’s cafes, Morrisons, Poundland, and WHSmith.
Poundland Store Closures
Poundland is set to shutter four locations in May, including a prominent outlet within a central London travel hub.
The store at Clapham Junction Railway Station will be the first to cease operations, permanently closing on Friday, May 2. A sign posted at the location conveyed the message: “We’re closing May 2. Don’t worry, we have another great store in the Southside Shopping Centre near Specsavers.”
A Poundland spokesperson acknowledged the disappointment that the Clapham Junction store closure would cause customers, directing them to an alternative store at the Southside shopping center in Wandsworth.
Three additional sites will follow suit: Belle Vale, Liverpool; Brackla, Wales; and Gravesend, Kent.
Pepco, the parent company of Poundland, informed The Sun that the branch in the Belle Vale shopping center in Liverpool would close on May 6.
- Clapham Junction Railway Station – Closed May 2
- Belle Vale, Liverpool – Closed May 6
- Brackla, Wales – Closed May 24
- St George’s Centre in Gravesend, Kent – Closing date to be confirmed
WHSmith Announces Store Closures Amid Expansion Plans
WHSmith, the prominent stationery and book retailer, is closing 17 stores this year and contemplating the sale of its 500 high-street shops in the UK. In contrast, an expansion is also planned.
While the retailer will continue to offer a range of books, stationery, snacks, and travel products in many stores, a selection of high-street locations is set to be axed in May.
Specific closure dates have not been announced for the affected locations, but sites including WHSmith on Wellington Street and the Stockton-on-Tees branch will close. The closure signifies a significant setback for shoppers and the local community who depend on the in-store Post Office.
- Stockton, County Durham (May)
- Oldham, Greater Manchester (May)
- Orpington, Greater London (no specified date)
Morrisons Restructuring Includes Cafe, Counter Closures
As part of a broad restructuring endeavor, Morrisons has shut down 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores and 52 in-store cafes across the UK. Further closures include Market Kitchens, florists, meat counters, fish counters, and pharmacies.
Rami Baitiéh, Chief Executive of Morrisons, stated: “The changes… are a necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons and enable us to focus our investment into the areas that customers value and that can play a full part in our growth.”
Morrisons Store Closure Update
The majority of the stores slated for closure ceased operations on Wednesday, April 16, however, the Haxby branch in Yorkshire closed later on Monday, May 14.