CLOSING TIME
Major fashion chain closing more stores from TODAY – see if one near you is disappearing for good
A MAJOR fashion chain is shutting more stores after a string of closures.
New Look is pulling down the shutters on two further branches between now and the end of August.
1
Its store in Fosse Park Shopping Centre, Leicester, is closing for good today.
A spokesperson said it was working with staff to offer them alternative roles in the business and was actively looking to open another store in Leicester.
Meanwhile, its branch in the Crossgates Shopping Centre, Leeds, is pulling down its shutters for the final time at the end of August, but an exact date it will close has not yet been confirmed.
The spokesperson said: "As part of the normal course of business, New Look occasionally closes stores, while also undertaking relocations and new site openings.
Read more in Retail
"While some sites have closed recently, we have opened a number of new stores this year and we remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country."
Last week The Sun revealed two other stores are set to close this summer.
New Look's branch in the White Rose Centre, Rhyl, Wales, is also closing today.
Another store in the Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Bristol, is pulling down its shutters for the final time on August 9.
Most read in Money
The fashion retailer has already closed a number of other stores in 2023.
They are:
- Birmingham, Fort Shopping Park - January 9
- Trowbridge - January 23
- Coventry - January 29
- Birmingham, Bullring - January 30
- Walthamstow, London - February 4
- Northampton - February 15
- Witham - May 18
- Teesside Retail Park - July 7
- Middlesbrough - July 8
Despite the raft of closures, it's not all bad news for New Look.
In November 2022, it opened several shops across the UK and has plans to open more this year, although it is yet to say how many and where in the UK they will be.
In 2018, the fashion retailer sought approval from creditors to cut 1,600 staff and close more than 85 stores after poor performance and struggling to pay back loans.
The company earmarked 60 out of its 593 stores for closure as well as a further six sub-letted sites.
The Company Voluntary Arrangement proposal also included a reduction in rental costs and revised lease terms across 393 stores.
It saw 980 of its 15,3000 UK workforce made redundant.
Later on in 2018, a further 25 stores were announced for closure.
What other retailers are closing stores?
Retailers have been struggling for years due to the surge in popularity of online shopping and reduced footfall during the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, high inflation means consumers have less money to spend on everyday essentials.
That, combined with increased energy and staffing costs, means many businesses are feeling the pinch.
Boots is one retailer which has been hit hard. It has already announced that it will close 300 stores for good.
The chain is pulling down the shutters on a number of branches within days too.
This is the list of branches which has been confirmed for closure so far and their closure dates:
- Heathside Rd, Woking - end of July
- UEA campus - end of July
- Hamlet Ct Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea - August 1
- Holywell, Flintshire (Wales) - August 26
- Windhill Road, Wakefield - October 6
- Upper Warrengate, Wakefield - October 7
- Glastonbury - October 13
- Guildford Road, Woking - end of October
- Gorleston, Great Yarmouth - November
Meanwhile, B&M's store in Kiln Lane, Reading, will shut on August 19.
However, the retailer is opening a "bigger and better" store in Brunel Retail Park on August 26.
B&M is also temporarily closing its Glasgow Forge store on August 20.
The shop is shutting to allow for refurbishment and expansion works to complete.
Following this, the new store will open back up to customers at 8am on Saturday, August 26.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
It's not all bad news though as the discount chain has already opened a number of new stores this year. This is where and when they opened:
- Armagh - May 5
- Widnes Trade Park - May 24
- Fforestfach (Swansea) - May 26
- Jarrow - May 27
- Fazakerley - May 31
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
Topics