Big discount department store chain to close several branches in weeks – is yours on the list?

A BIG discount department store chain is set to close several sites in the next few weeks.

The Original Factory Shop is shutting further branches following two closures earlier this year.

The discounter sells a range of bargain items from homeware to stationery.

It has been running since 1969 and has around 190 stores across the UK.

The Original Factory Shop will be pulling down the shutters on three stores in August in another blow to the high street.

Each of the shops will be closing on the same date at the end of August and staff have been informed of the closures.

Here is the full list of stores closing on Saturday, August 26:

• Chepstow, Wales
• Mildenhall, Suffolk
• Bodmin, Cornwall

A spokesperson for The Original Factory shop said: "We have over 190 stores across the UK and are planning on opening more over the coming months.

"Unfortunately, we have taken the decision to close our Chepstow, Mildenhall and Bodmin stores at the end of August.

"For the last few weeks, we have been consulting with colleagues at these stores and are working hard to support all of those affected.”

The chain previously closed two stores back in May this year too.

Stores shut in Bideford, Devon, on May 19 and in Stourport at the end of May.

It comes following a tumultuous period for businesses struggling to bounce back after Covid combined with rising energy bills.

Food and pub chains have also been shutting doors at several locations across the country, such as Wetherspoons pubs and Frankie & Benny's closing sites.

With costs high for shoppers too it means that people have been cutting back on non-essentials and prices continue to skyrocket.

There's also been a switch to online shopping for many consumers, meaning that brick and mortar shops have been struggling.

Brick and mortar stores have also seen a lack of footfall due to consumer habits switching to online shopping.

For example, Boots is beginning to close down the first of 300 stores this week, and with more to follow this summer and into autumn.

High street fashion chain New Look is set to shut down another two stores within weeks following a string of closures earlier this year.

Argos will be pulling the shutters down on a total of seven shops next month.

Asda has also confirmed that it will close another huge furniture store within weeks.

Supermarket chain Iceland has already pulled down the shutters on just under a dozen shops this year.

Although, some chains have managed to defy high street troubles and are actually set to open new shops.

These include discount chains like Poundland which is set to open 15 shops in the coming weeks and Greggs which is aiming to open 150 new sites this year.

Meanwhile, more than a dozen high street shops are set to close their doors for good next month.

Plus, the full list of 98 banks closing within weeks including HSBC and Barclays.

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