Beloved car shop finds new life after store closes down with budget supermarket set to move in
A MAJOR car shop chain is closing its only Scottish borders branch as a budget supermarket looks set to move in.
The much-loved Halfords in will shut this month, while Farmfoods plans to relocate to the space.
A staff member at the Halford's branch - who preferred to remain anonymous - said that news of the closure came "out of the blue".
"We are all pretty devastated," they told the
"We hoped the shop would move but we've all lost our jobs at short notice."
A spokesperson for Halfords told the news outlet: “We can confirm the Halfords store Galashiels is due to close in September 2023 and staff are aware of the closure.
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"Customers will still be able to purchase from Halfords.com.
"We are working hard to support all of those affected."
Instead, discount supermarket Farmfoods will occupy the building at the Low Buckholmside industrial estate.
Farmfoods, which has over 300 stories across the UK, remains a favourite among bargain hunters as it often has cheap offers on popular products like makeup and air fryers.
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It will be moving after 20 years from its existing premises at Bridge Street in Galashiels to the larger space.
However, the Scottish border town is not the only place mourning the lose of their Halfords.
The go-to store for drivers is pulling down the shutters on its branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in October.
Halfords has already closed two branches this year, with a spokesperson saying in February that the chain "regularly reviewed" its portfolio.
It comes after the retailer said its profitability had been knocked by "weakness" in the consumer tyre market.
In July 2020, Halford earmarked 60 stores and garages for closure following a hit in its sales due to coronavirus.
Meanwhile, a Farmfoods in Huddersfield closed its doors for good over the weekend as locals despaired over yet retailer leaving the town.
Residents felt heavily put out by the decision, with one prophesying on Facebook: "Huddersfield is changing."
Another said: "Huddersfield in town stores closing down = Iceland, Farmfoods, and Wilkos, why? Rents too high."
Sadly, it isn't the first Farmfoods that has closed this year.
Its Cowgate store in Dundee shut in March, with another Glasgow shop closing the month before.
Plus its store in West Bromwich closed in May.
The frozen food specialist branch at the end of February.
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Retailers have been feeling the pinch since the pandemic while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to soaring inflation.
High energy costs and a shift to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
