'There is nothing left' as an outdoor clothing chain with 60 branches that has to close the store

SHOPPERS are in shock after a major outdoor retailer with 60 UK branches is preparing to close one of its locations for good.

Regatta has announced that it will close its store at the Dockside Outlet Center in Chatham, Kent, on February 3.

A spokesperson for the retailer, which sells everything from waterproof jackets to trousers and shoes, confirmed the closure to The Sun.

They said: “Regatta has not taken the decision to close its store in Chatham's Dockside Outlet Center lightly.

“The closure follows challenging footfall in the center and coincides with the expiry of the store's lease.”

The spokesperson added that staff were given notice of the closure within a notice period.

The news of the closure was received with shock by local residents and shoppers.

One said: “There won't be anything here soon,” while a second said: “Many more units will close soon.”

A third commented: “Another one bites the dust” and a fourth simply added: “Shame!”

It comes after a number of other outdoor clothing retailers announced store closures in recent months.

Last week, Go Outdoors said it would permanently close one of its Express stores in Warrington, Cheshire.

The retailer did not say when the store would close, but signs at the front of the store indicated it wouldn't be open much longer.

It comes after a Go Outdoors branch in Oxford closed for the last time in December.

Meanwhile, Trespass, which has more than 300 UK stores, yesterday pulled the plug on its stores in Blackburn, Lancashire, in a shock to locals.

The retailer announced in July last year that it would close six branches in the coming months.

In December, Millets, known for its outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment, announced it was pulling down the shutters of a Wokingham store following a closure sale.

It came after the retailer closed branches Inverness and Mansfield.

The high street has been hit hard in recent years as consumers increasingly focus on online stores and away from physical stores.

Soaring inflation in 2023 also caused households to cut back on spending as retailers faced high energy and labor costs.

Recent data from the Center for Retail Research shows that more than 10,000 stores will close for the last time in 2023, while 120,000 employees in the sector will lose their jobs.

Some notable brands went bankrupt, including Wilko, Paperchase and M&Co.

Meanwhile, pharmacy chain Boots announced it would consolidate its branch portfolio from 2,200 to 1,900 in June.

However, the retailer said it would only close stores in areas where there was more than one location.

But it's not all bad news for the high street, as a number of retailers have expanded their portfolios.

In addition, B&M will open 17 new locations in January and February, including in former Wilko stores.

Asda also plans to open 21 new locations before the end of the month.

Major brand WHSmith recently announced plans to also open 15 new stores in the UK.

Wilko has also since relaunched across the high street, while Paperchase has opened hundreds of concession stores in Tesco superstores.

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