'This is getting ridiculous' shoppers shout as bargain chain has to close its site within a few weeks
A BARGAIN chain, which has more than 500 branches, will close one of its stores within a few weeks.
The Works will close its Penrith location after downing the shutters of several other stores and opening others elsewhere.
The discount chain sells valuable gifts, arts, crafts, toys, books and stationery.
The company has confirmed that its Penrith store will close its doors for the final time in mid-April. local news reports.
The Works also says the chain has been able to redeploy all team members to nearby stores in Carlisle and Kendal.
Local residents have reacted to news of the closure on social media.
One said: “What a shame. Sad to see the high streets are still struggling.”
Another wrote: “One step closer to a ghost town.”
A third commented: “Another bites the dust.”
A fourth posted: “Gosh just shut it down! There will soon be nothing left in Penrith!”
While a fifth said: “This is getting ridiculous.”
And another wrote: 'Now comes a time [sic] left.”
“Penrith is a ghost town, there's nothing here,” one customer commented.
The Sun has contacted The Works for comment and to confirm the exact date the store will close.
You can find your nearest The Works using the locator on the website.
The news comes after the chain closed several stores last year.
The Hitchin town center store closed its doors for the final time on August 25.
The brand also recently closed its Coulby Newham branch on July 6.
In addition, the shops in the shopping streets of Bridgend and Croydon are closed.
Jeremy Smith, property director at The Works, previously said the closures were part of “ongoing management” of the portfolio.
Meanwhile, it has opened four relocated stores in Wolverhampton, Llanelli, Grimsby and Crewer and is now also welcoming shoppers to new stores in Inverness, West Durrington and Beckton.
The chain also plans to open eight new stores in the coming months.
Elsewhere, The Works reassured shoppers after the chain confirmed it would not be closing all its stores.
It comes after it promoted huge sales in January and shoppers feared this meant the retailer would soon be gone.
A spokesperson for The Works told The Sun: “Don't worry, we are not closing any stores. We're simply having our biggest sale ever to make room for new and exciting inventory coming soon.
“Shoppers can enjoy deep discounts on a wide range of arts and crafts supplies, books, stationery and more at all our stores this holiday season and through 2024 rural and online at TheWorks.co.uk.”
The shopping street has been in turmoil over the past year.
Energy costs have risen and more consumers than ever are choosing to order online instead of going to the store.
This leaves some retailers struggling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
Homebase closed a store last year, leaving just 93 stores since its acquisition by Hilco Capital in 2018.
Poundstretcher closed several stores last year, but also opened new stores in closed Wilko stores.
Even charity shops are struggling. Oxfam confirmed last year that it would close eight of its UK stores.
Superdry is said to be considering a “radical” restructuring, including job cuts, after reports of poor Christmas sales.
Boots revealed it would close 300 stores over time next one as part of plans to develop the brand.
Meanwhile, a major fast food restaurant with 1,000 restaurants is closing one of its branches for good.
In addition, a bargain retailer has confirmed that its Stockton-on-Tees locations will close next month.
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