FASHION giant Ted Baker has gone bankrupt, putting dozens of stores and hundreds of jobs at risk.

The retailer, which currently has 86 stores in the UK and employs 975 people, submitted a letter of intent a few days ago.

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No Ordinary Designer Label (NODL), owned by Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and trading as Ted Baker, has appointed Teneo Financial Advisory Limited to provisionally manage the brand.

ABG is said to be “in advanced discussions” with potential buyers for the company.

The news comes days after NODL said it planned to appoint administrators, citing the “damage” caused during a partnership and the “significant backlogs” built up during a partnership with Dutch company AARC Group.

No Ordinary Designer Label decided to end its partnership with AARC in January, saying the partner had not kept its promises to inject money into the company.

Benji Dymant, joint administrator at Teneo, said: “The appointment of joint administrators comes seven weeks after the termination of NODL’s operating partnership with AARC on January 29, 2024.

“That decision was made after AARC failed to meet its financial obligations and inject the promised financing into the company.

“The company traded well below expectations in the fourth quarter of 2023 and accrued significant levels of delinquencies.

“This has resulted in the company requiring the protection of a moratorium to continue trading and the director has taken the difficult decision to place the company into administration.”

Mr Dymant added that despite going into administration, Ted Baker will continue to trade as normal “and customer orders will continue to be fulfilled”.

“Ted Baker is an iconic British brand with strong partners around the world,” he said.

Authentic has said it is in advanced discussions with several potential operating partners to acquire Ted Baker’s UK and European operations and return the company to full health.

“We recognize that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for everyone involved and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Ted Baker team members and partners for their efforts and continued support.”

“Authentic has said it is in advanced discussions with several potential operating partners to acquire Ted Baker’s UK and European operations and return the business to full health.”

NODL will continue to trade through both its UK website and stores, while Authentic continues discussions with interested parties.

NOTICE OF INTENT

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, No Ordinary Designer Label filed for administration with a letter of intent.

John McNamara, chief strategy and transition officer of Authentic Brands Group, said: “We wish there could have been a better outcome for Ted Baker employees and stakeholders.

“It is hopefully some comfort to customers that NODL continues to trade online and in stores.

“We remain focused on finding a new partner to uphold and grow the Ted Baker brand in the UK and Europe, where it began.”

ABG said it is exploring various cost-cutting measures to support the company’s “rising” costs in February.

This followed ABG, which also owns Reebok and Juicy Couture, rescuing the high street brand as part of a £211 million deal in 2022.

YEARS OF TURMOIL

Ted Baker fell on hard times in 2019 after founder Ray Kelvin stepped down from his position amid harassment allegations.

Several profit warnings followed and a statement warning that the profits of the listed companies will be lower than expected.

In 2020, the retailer said it would cut 160 jobs, making 2019 a “challenging year”.

Ted Baker is not the only retailer having a hard time on the high street.

Last month, The Body Shop was declared bankrupt, putting hundreds of stores at risk of closure.

On February 29 it announced it would close 75 stores, including in Basildon, Bexleyheath and Carlisle.

Administrators FRP said the retailer would focus more of its attention on online sales and wholesale.

Wilko and Paperchase also both filed for administration last year, which was a blow to the high street.

Hundreds of stores closed and thousands of employees lost their jobs.

CRISIS ON THE HIGH STREET

Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, as shoppers cut back on spending due to the rising cost of living.

High energy costs and the move to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking their toll, with many high street stores struggling to continue.

The high street has seen a slew of closures in the past year, with more to come.

The number of jobs lost in UK retail fell last year, but 120,000 people still lost their jobs, figures show.

Figures from the Center for Retail Research show that 10,494 stores will have closed for the last time in 2023 and 119,405 jobs will have been lost in the sector.

It was fewer stores than had been lost in recent years, and a decrease from the 151,641 jobs lost in 2022.

The centre’s director, Professor Joshua Bamfield, said the improvement is “less bad” than good.

While some big names on the high street were lost, including Wilko, many major companies had already gone bankrupt before 2022, the center said, such as Topshop owner Arcadia, Jessops and Debenhams.

“The cost of living crisis, inflation and rise in interest rates have prompted many consumers to tighten their belts, causing retail spending to fall,” said Prof Bamfield.

“Retailers themselves have faced rising energy and occupancy costs, staff shortages and declining demand, making rebuilding profits after extensive store closures during the pandemic exceptionally difficult.”

Besides Wilko, which employed around 12,000 people when it went bust, the biggest failures of 2023 include UK Flooring Direct, Planet Organic and Tile Giant.

The Center for Retail Research said most stores were closed as companies tried to reorganize and cut costs rather than face bankruptcy.

However, experts have warned that more bankruptcies are likely this year as consumers tighten their belts and borrowing costs for businesses soar.

According to official figures, about 14% of bankruptcies last year occurred in retail businesses.

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SHOPPERS are devastated after learning that a 240-branch retail chain is looking to close another store.

Game will close its store in Saint Marks Place, Newark, next month.

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The store will permanently stop its activities on Sunday, April 7.

Megan Sheldon, the assistant manager of the Newark store, told the Newark Advertiser: “I know a lot of people in Newark who love this store, and we absolutely love it too.

“It’s a huge loss for Newark and hopefully something happens in the future and we can get another game here.

“It’s definitely a huge loss for Newark. It’s such a great community and we have a lot of regular customers who love this store as much as we do.”

The store manager, Samantha Woods, said the store is closing following a higher order, which cannot be made public.

In light of the news, the store has launched a closing sale, with most products in the store now discounted by 20%.

Frasers Group, which owns the Game brand, has been contacted for comment.

Shoppers have reacted with devastation to the news on social media.

One person said on Facebook: “Hello, my son went there yesterday and in a month it will be closed. Shame to see it disappear.”

“What a huge loss,” said another customer.

A third said: “It always went to when they announced they wouldn’t trade up

“Unfortunately, game stores will close because they focus too much on new and not secondhand.”

Game has closed several branches in recent months, including those in Wales and Oxfordshire.

Meanwhile, two closed last year in Plymouth and Cambridge.

Below is a full list of game stores that have closed in recent months:

• Nuneaton, Warwickshire – November 10, 2023
• Newport, Wales – October 18, 2023
• Exeter, Devon, Guildhall shopping center – January (moved to Sports Direct on Rydon Lane)
• Witney, Oxfordshire – January 7
• Rugby, Warwickshire – January 7
• Huntington, Cambridgeshire – January 14
• Rhyl, Wales – February 4
• Plymouth, Devon – February 6
• Newton Abbot, Devon – March 17
• Grimsby, Lincolnshire – March 17

Game is also closing its store in the Union Square Shopping Center in Torquay, Devon.

The retailer was bought by billionaire businessman Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group in 2019 as part of a £52 million deal.

But by January 2020 it had announced plans to close 40 of its more than 300 stores in the UK.

There are currently more than 240 Game stores nationwide.

House of Fraser, which is also owned by Frasers Group, has also closed a number of stores.

The once iconic department store was saved from destruction by Mike Ashley in 2018.

But while the deal saved the chain’s 59 stores and the 17,000 employees who were dealing with the fallout from the crisis, many more stores have closed in recent years and only 28 department stores remain.

A series of stores were closed in 2023, including in Birmingham, Cardiff and Guildford.

What else is happening to Frasers Group chains?

It’s not just House of Fraser and Game stores that are closing, other Frasers Group chains have also reduced their store numbers.

A Sports Direct branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, will pull down its shutters for good at the end of March.

Sports Direct also closed its branch in Central Six Retail Park, Coventry, at the end of January.

The Flannels location in the Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton, has downed its shutters for the final time in the new year.

It also closed its site in Bradford in January, despite only opening in October.

Designer clothing chain Choice has downed the shutters of one of its stores in Bromley.

Frasers Group acquired Base Childrenswear and Kids Cavern as part of a £47.5 million deal in December 2022.

But the retail group brought in administrators for both Base Childrenswear and Kids Cavern just 16 months later.

Earlier this month, the luxury brand Matchesfashion was also placed under administration.

It’s not all bad news, though, as the company has recently opened several sites.

Frasers Group has already started opening ‘new concept’ stores.

The concept stores include various Frasers brands such as Sports Direct, Flannels and beauty halls, as well as products from USC, Jack Wills and GAME.

In September it cut the ribbon on the latest of its new department stores with popular brands such as Sports Direct and Game in Norwich.

There are plans to open two more locations in Blackpool and Sheffield.

The group also announced it will take over the former John Lewis site in the Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough.

A new sportswear store is opening in The Precinct in Coventry.

The company has acquired Compton House on Liverpool’s famous Church Street and is about to open a flagship Sports Direct.

What else is happening on the shopping street?

Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, with shoppers cutting back on spending due to the rising cost of living.

High energy costs and the switch to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking their toll and many stores on the high streets are struggling to continue.

The high street has seen a slew of closures in the past year and more are in the pipeline.

Several major brands have gone bankrupt in 2023, including Wilko and Paperchase.

The Lidl news comes just weeks after The Body Shop fell into administration.

Then last week it announced it would close nearly half of its 198 stores.

Seven branches have closed with immediate effect, including branches in Surrey Quays and Oxford Street, London.

Beginning of February, Hobbycrafts owner, Bridgepoint, is said to be exploring “strategic options” for the company.

These options could include the retailer being auctioned off.

In January, struggling fashion brand Superdry said it was looking at several “cost-cutting options” after reporting it was considering a major restructuring including store closures and job cuts.

Together with advisors from PwC, we worked on a plan that could lead to a CVA or another form of restructuring.

Such a move could result in store closures and potentially force rent reductions from landlords.

ALDI’s huge garden range returns to stores with prices starting from €2.29.

The retailer’s popular garden range is achieving its expected returns and customers better be quick as it is sure to sell out quickly.

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Aldi shoppers can soon start planning their summer garden makeover with Aldi’s latest garden range.

Spring is almost here and so is the return of Aldi’s garden range, with everything from garden mirrors and bistro sets to planters and gardening gloves.

Prices start from just £2.29 and the first drop of products will be in stores from March 28, with further products available from April 7 and 25.

However, if you’re planning to get your hands on some of Aldi’s green-fingered deals, you’ll want to be quick as they’re part of the Specialbuys range, meaning once they’re gone, they’re gone.

For people who want to inject a bit of style into their garden but don’t want to spend a fortune, the Hampton bistro set, priced at £49.99, is described as ‘sturdy yet stylish’.

It is perfect for outdoor dining in summer and goes well with the decorative garden arch for €29.99.

The beautiful arch is made from powder-coated metal in matte black and is both durable and, according to Aldi, easy to assemble.

For outdoor enthusiasts who would like a little more comfort in the garden, you can choose from two rugs in three patterns, including gray and white, brown and beige striped or black and white checked print.

The large Aldis rug costs €8.99. while the XL size costs £12.99.

If you want to impress your summer guests even more, you can also purchase a beautiful garden mirror for only € 7.99.

Other accessories such as planters (€14.99) and solar rainbow lights (€9.99) and a solar hot air balloon (€6.99) will all transform your garden, giving you a warm can enjoy summer evenings.

Aldi’s Enchanted Garden range will be in stores from March 28 while stocks last, you will find the full range below.

The second drop of garden items will be in stores from April 7 and comes from Aldi’s Garden Improvement range.

Remember, all of these items are part of the Specialbuys range and once they’re gone, they’re gone, so you’ll need to be quick.

Special buys are unique and exciting products that you can find exclusively in Aldi stores.

The products launch in stores every Thursday and Sunday and can include everything from DIY items to beauty products.

You can pick up a leaflet in store, browse online or sign up for Aldi’s mailing list to get a taste of what’s to come.

More of Aldi’s Garden Improvement range will be available from April 25.

There are other ways to save at Aldi and it’s always worth keeping an eye out for the many dupes the retailer brings out every now and then.

In addition to the dupes of branded food items, the retailer also has beauty products and fragrances that sell out as soon as they hit the shelves.

An Aldi employee recently told shoppers about what new beauty dupes would be hitting stores, including Flowerbomb perfume and Refy eyebrow kits.

Other ways to save at Aldi

When doing your weekly shopping it’s always worth looking out for the red sticker products that staff add to items when they have been reduced in price.

Aldi usually adds these to products in the morning, so get to the nearest branch as early as possible for the best discounts.

Also keep an eye on the discounted fruit and vegetables: according to deal expert Tom Church, the retailer tends to cut six items every two weeks to “crazy low” prices.

Get ahead of the rest by signing up for Aldi’s newsletter and also following the retailer on social media.

It often announces upcoming deals across its two channels, so you can be the first to get the best prices.

If you want to save money on takeaways, Aldi’s ‘fakeaways’ can help too.

The retailer recently launched a KFC-inspired box that it claims is 62% cheaper than the chicken drumstick.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing squeezeteam@thesun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

M&S is set to close another two stores for good, leaving shoppers devastated.

The retailer is pulling down the shutters on its sites in Crawley and Doncaster.

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The Doncaster store, located in Baxtergate, has been in the city center for more than 50 years and shoppers have branded the closure as “disgusting”.

On social media, someone said: “This is awful, it’s a great store to go to.”

Another said: “Disgusting! They should reconsider this!”

While another commented: “The city is in decline.”

It’s not all bad news, as the retail giant is moving to a nearby retail park on Wheatley Hall Road, according to a local news outlet. Doncaster Free Press.

It’s disgusting that they have to reconsider this!

Social media user

However, shoppers complain that it is not very accessible for people who don’t drive.

One person said: “This means my mum would have to take two buses to get there which would be a nightmare for her.”

Crawley residents feel much the same about the loss of their local M&S.

The store, based in Queensway, has been around for decades and a councilor told the local news outlet: The Argus that the decision to close the store was “a real blow to the city centre”.

One local wrote on Facebook that it was “such a shame” and another said it was “the only decent shop in Crawley”.

A third angry customer said: “This is a travesty!”

While a fourth commented: “We won’t be anywhere in our city soon.”

Earlier this year the retailer confirmed it would also close its Walworth store in south London.

The popular store has been serving locals for more than 100 years and the news came as a shock to the community.

Commenting on the Walworth closure, M&S regional manager Gordon Scott said the proposal to close the store was due to “changing shopping habits”.

The Sun has contacted M&S for comment on the store closures in Doncaster and Crawley.

In 2022, the retailer announced plans to close 67 “lower productivity” stores as part of a five-year plan to shake up its branch portfolio.

M&S, which operates 405 stores across the country, closed branches in Manchester, Swindon and Birmingham between August and November last year.

In addition, 40 M&S clothing stores closed between November 2016 and July 2023.

If you want to find out if your local store is next, we’ve got the full list of M&S stores set to close in 2024.

It’s not all bad news for the retailer and shoppers, however, as in January 2023 the company announced it would open 20 more stores over the course of the financial year.

At the same time, it said it will open 104 new “bigger and fresher” food stores.

In the past 12 months it has opened 22 branches, including in Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester.

What else is happening on the shopping street?

Marks and Spencer isn’t the only retailer to change course and make some changes to its store portfolio.

A combination of rising rents and costs of living has forced many large companies to rethink the way they run their businesses.

Other retailers such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan have also scaled back their store portfolios and closed branches.

This month, Boots announced it will close a total of nine locations, as part of its wider plans to lose 300 locations.

These closures will reduce the retailer’s total number of stores from 2,200 to 1,900.

This has upset many locals in the affected towns, but the health and beauty chain has said that where stores close there is an alternative store less than three miles away.

Last year, Argos began implementing plans to reduce the number of standalone stores and focus on opening more locations in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Last June it closed 42 UK stores, including all 34 in the Republic of Ireland.

However, things are looking good for other retailers, and despite the difficult trading conditions, some are expanding their number of stores.

Primark recently confirmed plans to open new branches and invest and renovate more than a dozen existing stores.

Meanwhile, Asda is massively expanding its portfolio of smaller Express stores, with plans to open 110 new stores.

Popular discounter B&M also said it plans to open 17 new locations by 2024, some of which will open soon.

We have the full list of chains opening stores in 2024. See if one is coming to a shopping street near you.

A HIGH street retailer with more than 450 stores has issued an update on branch closures, but shoppers don’t have to worry just yet.

Next revealed the plans in its annual results – an update on its financial position and activities – which were released today.

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To boost shoppers, Next revealed it will cut prices by 2% due to lower purchasing costs for clothing and goods.

It says price tags will fall by a further 0.5% in the six months to January.

The high street giant currently has 458 stores, including its main Next stores and clearance stores.

Next now has eight stores fewer than in January 2023, after the closure of twelve major stores.

Shops in Newcastle, Hertfordshire and Derry, Northern Ireland, have all closed in the past year.

But it’s not all bad news for shoppers, because Next opened four new outlet stores in the same period.

Next Outlets are not like normal Next stores.

They offer a selection of outlet products, past season collections and sale items at discounted prices that you won’t find anywhere else.

In the results, Next also provided an update on its plans for stores.

It said: “While we will continue to open and close a small number of stores, we do not expect any material net change to our retail sales space over the coming year.”

This means that while stores may close and new ones open in the coming year, the retailer expects its overall store numbers to remain roughly the same.

Julie Palmer, partner at business recovery specialist Begbies Traynor, said: “Last year was another impressive year for Next as it bucked the trend and delivered record results.

“These results show how the retailer continues to be at the top and leading the way in a sector where so many have struggled recently.”

While Charlie Huggins, from investment service Wealth Club, said Next has managed to emerge strongly at a turbulent time for the high street.

Retailers have been hit by higher energy prices, pressure on consumer finances and borrowing costs.

Charlie added: “Several other retailers have struggled, and some, like Wilko’s, have been consigned to the history books.

“Next’s core proposition clearly resonates with British consumers and is arguably stronger than ever.”

In last year’s results, Next revealed plans to close 11 stores.

Six of the stores were not expected to achieve their target margins, while two involved site redevelopment.

The remaining three have been closed because no agreement could be reached with the landlord of the site.

What else is happening on the shopping street?

Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic and many are struggling to stay afloat.

High energy costs and rents mean that many large companies are starting to slim down the number of high street stores they operate.

We’ve seen several big losses in the last twelve months, including popular discounter Wilko and stationary brand Paperchase.

More recently, health and beauty chain The Body Shop has gone bankrupt and announced the closure of many of its 200 stores.

Other retailers such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan have reduced the number of stores on the high street.

This month, Boots announced it will close a total of nine locations, as part of its wider plans to lose 300 locations.

These closures will reduce the retailer’s total number of stores from 2,200 to 1,900.

Marks and Spencer is another retailer that has made changes to its store portfolio.

In 2022, M&S announced it would close 67 “lower productivity” stores as part of the 110 stores it had already earmarked for closure.

It wasn’t all bad news for M&S shoppers, though, with some stores closing, others opening in new locations.

We have the full list of chains opening stores in 2024. See if one is coming to a shopping street near you.

Is it all bad news?

The answer to that is no. Some retailers are expanding despite difficult market conditions.

Primark recently confirmed plans to open new branches and invest and renovate more than a dozen existing stores.

Meanwhile, Asda is massively expanding its portfolio of smaller Express stores, with plans to open 110 new stores.

Popular discounter B&M also said it plans to open 17 new locations by 2024, some of which will open soon.

Also earlier this year, WHSmith confirmed it would open 15 new stores, but these would not be located on the high street.

We have the full list of chains opening stores in 2024. See if one is coming to a shopping street near you.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

A shoe chain with 300 branches is permanently pulling down the shutters of even more stores in just a few days.

Clarks has confirmed that sites in East Grinstead and Maidenhead are next in line, following a series of closures.

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The iconic retailer with more than 300 British stores has already pulled the plug on a number of locations.

In January it closed its store in Witham and shuttered its site in Newport Retail Park in November.

Now the retailer has confirmed that its East Grinstead store will close on March 24, with its Maidenhead store to follow in June 2024.

Clarks told The Sun: “We have a strong duty of care to all our employees and have worked closely with the store team over a period of consultation.

“We thank them all for their dedication in serving our customers over the years.”

Residents in both areas have taken to social media to react to the news.

It’s ridiculous that the city is getting a joke now!

Social media user

An East Grinstead resident said: “It’s very sad to hear this. I’ve been buying fantastic footwear there for years that last a long time, another loss for the town.”

Another commented: “It’s ridiculous that the city is getting a joke now!”

While a third said: “Such a shame, more and more shops are empty.”

Maidenhead locals share the same frustration at the loss of the Clarks store.

One person said: “Ooooo no, how are we supposed to measure children’s feet?”

Another added: “So we won’t have a shoe store in town?”

A third said: “This is sad to hear. I remember a time when our high street had loads of shoe shops, we were spoiled for choice.”

Local high streets have become a shadow of their former selves in recent years, not a week seems to go by without another shop disappearing.

A combination of rising rents and shoppers turning to online stores since the coronavirus crisis have both contributed to the demise of our city center stores.

The rising cost of living has also made many people think twice before spending their money on anything other than the weekly necessities.

This has meant that major retailers have either disappeared altogether as they fall under government control, or are downsizing the number of high streets they operate.

What other stores have we lost recently?

We’ve seen several big losses in the last twelve months, including popular discounter Wilko and stationary brand Paperchase.

More recently, health and beauty chain The Body Shop has gone bankrupt and announced the closure of many of its 200 stores.

Nearly 500 employees will lose their jobs after 75 stores close in the coming weeks.

We have the full list of branches that are about to close. Is your local affected?

Other retailers such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan have reduced the number of stores on the high street.

This month, Boots announced it will close a total of nine locations, as part of its wider plans to lose 300 locations.

These closures will reduce the retailer’s total number of stores from 2,200 to 1,900.

This has upset many locals in the affected towns, but the health and beauty chain has said that where stores close there is an alternative store less than three miles away.

Last year, Argos began implementing plans to reduce the number of standalone stores and focus on opening more locations in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Last June it closed 42 UK stores, including all 34 in the Republic of Ireland.

Marks and Spencer is another retailer that has made changes to its store portfolio.

In 2022, M&S announced it would close 67 “lower productivity” stores as part of the 110 stores it had already earmarked for closure.

It wasn’t all bad news for M&S shoppers, though, with some stores closing, others opening in new locations.

Nine new openings took place in November last year, including six new stores plus three store renovations.

Is it all bad news?

The answer to that is no. Some retailers are expanding despite difficult market conditions.

Primark recently confirmed plans to open new branches and invest and renovate more than a dozen existing stores.

Meanwhile, Asda is massively expanding its portfolio of smaller Express stores, with plans to open 110 new stores.

Popular discounter B&M also said it plans to open 17 new locations by 2024, some of which will open soon.

Also earlier this year, WHSmith confirmed it would open 15 new stores, but these would not be located on the high street.

We have the full list of chains opening stores in 2024. See if one is coming to a shopping street near you.

ICELAND is making a major change to its stores, but shoppers have had mixed reactions.

The frozen food specialist is introducing brand new paper carrier bags to make them more sustainable for customers.

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It comes as Iceland boss Richard Walker posted a photo of the new bag on X (formerly Twitter) and called it “sexy”.

However, one concerned customer said: “There’s no point if it rains.”

But Richard Walker responded that the new bags are waterproof.

He said: “This is a new technology, waterproof and performs very well in frozen food and rain!”

In response, another customer said: “Richard, you’re spoiling us.”

“Really useful in Great Britain weather when it rains,” said another customer.

But a third said: “I’ve had them before but they tear easily.”

A spokesperson for Iceland said: “At Iceland we have introduced a new and improved design on our existing paper bags.

“The new paper bags are designed with new technology.

“They are splash-proof, easier to carry and reuse, and perfect for transporting frozen food.”

In 2019, Iceland was the first supermarket to bring back old-fashioned paper carrier bags.

The supermarket also promised at the time to eliminate plastic packaging from its own brand products by the end of 2023.

The new bags are being rolled out in all 500 Icelandic supermarkets.

Paper bags cost 30 cents each, but shoppers can also purchase plastic-free bags for life and insulated freezer bags.

The supermarket became the first in the country to launch £1 plastic-free woven bags in June 2022.

Richard Walker said at the time: “We know that many customers still only use ‘bags for life’ once, so we’ve worked hard to create an alternative plastic-free reusable solution.

“Nearly 500 million lifetime plastic bags were sold in Britain last year – a sharp fall in recent years – but this figure is still far too high.

“These new paper cotton bags offer our customers a strong, reusable alternative to plastic bags.

“We look forward to seeing how customers respond to these new bags as part of our wider plans to reduce our plastic footprint.”

How can I save money when shopping at Iceland?

There are plenty of deals and loyalty offers that you shouldn’t miss in Iceland.

For example, there is the Bonus Card Loyalty Scheme: this gives access to exclusive offers and allows you to plan a budget by saving cash in your account.

It was launched in 2021 and you can sign up online for free. You just need to provide a few brief details.

This allows you to get the following special benefits:

• €1 bonus every time you add €20 to your savings balance
• Exclusive Bonus Card Prizes
• Free home delivery in stores and online
• Prices and offers

However, it’s good to always shop around regardless of the offers you see because you never know what you might miss elsewhere.

Use comparison tools such as Trolley.co.uk to check the price of an item from other supermarkets to ensure you get the best deal.

COMPUTER gaming fans have flocked to the high street over the years to pick up the latest releases for PlayStation and Nintendo consoles.

One store, Game, has been a household name for shoppers since the early 1990s and can still be found in many towns and cities.

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The store is now owned by Frasers Group following its acquisition in 2019.

Frasers Group is the company founded by Mike Ashley and is behind well-known brands such as House of Fraser, Sports Direct and Flannels.

Close the game?

Game has more than 240 stores nationwide at the time of writing.

But Frasers Group has closed a number of sites in recent months, including sites in Devon and Wales.

In addition, other locations are also earmarked for closure in the future.

Some of these locations offered deep discounts on inventory before closing their doors for good.

Why is Game closing stores?

Game owner Frasers Group has not given a reason for closing these stores.

But in some cases they have moved or reopened in other Frasers Group stores such as Sports Direct.

For example, the Game in Newport, Wales closed in October 2023. But just a few days later it opened in Sports Direct on the same street.

Some retailers close branches here and there for various reasons, such as when a store lease expires.

Other examples of one-off rather than widespread closures are when changes occur in the environment, such as the closure of a shopping center.

And in some cases, a store will close and move to another area with more shoppers.

However, some chains have faced tougher conditions, including rising rents and energy costs, along with falling numbers of shoppers on the high street, forcing them to close dozens of stores, or in the worst case, all of them.

Game isn’t the only name under the Frasers Group umbrella to close or move to another store.

It has opened a new concept department store home to several brands including Game and Sports Direct, as well as designer store Flannels.

Frasers opened in Norwich. Norfolk, last September, with more to come in Blackpool and Sheffield.

The new Frasers stores are home to several other Frasers Group brands such as Belong, USC and Evans Cycles.

It follows the closure of several House of Fraser department stores, including in Sollihull, Cardiff, Birmingham, High Wycombe, Westfield Shepherd’s Bush and Guildford.

Complete list of game stores that are closed

Nearly a dozen Game stores have closed so far or will close soon.

Here’s a list of dates we know so far…

• Nuneaton, Warwickshire Ropewalk Shopping Center – November 10
• Newport, Wales, on October 18, 2023 (moved to Sports Direct)
• Exeter, Devon, Guildhall shopping center – January (moved to Sports Direct on Rydon Lane)
• Witney, Oxfordshire – January 7
• Rugby, Warwickshire – January 7
• Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – January 14
• Plymouth, Devon – February 6
• Newton Abbot, Devon – March 17
• Grimsby, Lincolnshire – March 17
• Rhyl, Wales – spring
• Torquay, Devon – TBD

You can find your nearest Game Store using the store locator on the website.