OUT OF FASHION
‘Big mistake’ warn shoppers as iconic fashion retailer with 227 stores to close town branch forever
Scroll down to read the local MP's letter about the store closure
CUSTOMERS are gutted to see a beloved fashion store closing its doors - with one dubbing it a "big mistake".
High street favourite Bonmarché is set to close its branch in Arnold, Nottingham, on September 22.
2
2
Shoppers in the town are worried about the impact that the store's closure will have on their community.
It is believed to be closing because the retail unit landlord has asked for more money in rent.
Local MP Michael Payne has even gotten involved, writing to the company's retail director to explain how this might effect members of the community.
Underneath his letter, shared on Facebook, dozens of angry shoppers chimed in to share their thoughts.
READ MORE ON MONEY
One wrote: "Bonmarché, you are making a big mistake.
"Big loss to Arnold town centre and all age groups who don’t like going into town or shop online."
Another said: "We do need more shops to draw people in, and I for one hate buying clothes online."
And a third wrote: "This is ridiculous. It's the one place you can get good quality clothes to fit all sizes and shapes.
Most read in Money
"Please stay open and thank you Michael for your efforts."
Mr Payne wrote in his letter: "Bonmarché has been part of our community for many years, offering an essential service to numerous residents, including those with limited mobility who find it difficult to shop elsewhere or prefer not to shop online.
"The store has also been a vital source of employment for many dedicated staff members who have consistently contributed to the company and local area."
The comments come after Bonmarché, targeted at the over-50s, enjoyed a fresh surge in popularity last year.
After falling into administration in 2019, it opened a run of new branches at the end of 2023.
Shoppers were quick to share their joy on social media, with one fan saying: "What delightful news."
While another added: "I'm so happy they are opening again the staff were so helpful."
And a third said: "How long though? Hopefully they haven't negotiated a short-term lease, unfair on the staff."
A fourth commented: "Can’t wait for it to open again as nowhere else in Paisley for ladies clothes. Need a new winter jacket."
Why are retailers closing shops?
EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre’s decline.
The Sun's business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors.
In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping.
Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open. In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed.
The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing.
Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns.
Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead.
Boss Stuart Machin recently said that when it relocated a tired store in Chesterfield to a new big store in a retail park half a mile away, its sales in the area rose by 103 per cent.
In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Wilko, Debenhams Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Paperchase to name a few.
What’s increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online.
They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places.
Topics