Go-to chain for drivers closes its doors on location for the last time today
A KEY location at a chain used by millions of drivers across the UK has closed today.
Customers were left devastated when Halfords closed shop at its branch at The Merry Hill Centre, in Brierley Hill, Dudley.
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The store specialized in automotive and bicycle products and services.
Eagle-eyed shoppers spotted a sign in the window confirming the closure.
The sign read: 'This store is now closing, but we are still local.
“Our Merry Hill store closes on January 26th, but don't worry!
“Birchfield Road, Warley, Oldbury, B69 1DT and Springvale Retail Park, Springvale Way, Bilston, WV14 0QL.”
Halfords confirmed the closure in a statement to The Sun.
A spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that the Halfords store in Merry Hill is closing and that staff are aware of the closure.
“Customers can still make purchases at Halfords.com.
“We are working hard to support all those affected.”
Many customers have now taken to social media to share their disappointment with the decision.
One person said: “I get the kids' bikes there and always have my lights turned on. It's really a shame.”
A second complained: “Halfords today don't come close to the Halfords of the 1960s or 1970s.”
Another third wrote: “No way! Another bites the dust.”
“That's too bad. It was one of the first shops in Merry Hill in the 80's. I have used it a lot over the years, but not much these days.
“Was really handy when I needed stuff urgently, but there rarely seemed to be much when I went lately,” a fourth commented.
Another said: 'Halfords are great to help, they have helped me many times.
“I wish people would stop buying online and shop local”
It comes after Halfords closed a series of branches last year, including branches in Cambridge, Lincoln and Gloucestershire.
Permanently closed locations include:
- Meadowlands Retail Park, Cambridge – February 2023
- Halfords Autocentre, Bellman's Close, Largs – February 2023
- East Road Retail Park, Irvine – March 2023
- Stroud, Gloucestershire – August 2023
- Wragby Road, Lincoln – November 2023
In July 2020, Halford reserved 60 shops and garages for closure following a drop in turnover due to the coronavirus.
At the time it operated more than 445 stores and more than 370 garages in the UK.
Halfords currently has more than 400 stores and more than 300 garages.