Britain's 'largest outdoor retailer' closes branch after less than a year
ONE of Britain's biggest outdoor retailers has announced it will close a branch less than a year after opening on the high street.
Go Outdoors, which has almost 100 locations across the UK, has confirmed it will close a store in North Staffordshire.
Go Outdoors is a go-to store for travelers and sports enthusiasts, the retail giant sells everything from camping gear to fishing gear.
The Go Outdoors quick store, which opened on Newcastle-under-Lyme High Street last year, will close its doors for good on April 6.
Local media reports announcing that the sale boards were closing went up last week, announcing that all inventories had been reduced by at least 30%.
The city has been hit by several store closures, losing all its WHSmith, Millets, Wilko and Clarks since early 2023.
Read more about store closures
Locals took to Facebook after hearing the news, with many claiming it was devastating to the area.
One user said: “This is not good news for Newcastle city centre.”
“I need to take a look,” someone else said.
A third user claimed: “If it really goes ahead there will be another big blow to the city.”
What happens to the main street?
Several other retailers have struggled to make ends meet in recent years.
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.
Struggling fashion brand Superdry has said it is exploring various “cost-saving options” as it considers a major restructuring including store closures and job cuts.
Boots revealed it would close 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to develop its brand.
Major banks have also announced the closure of several branches.
Barclays will begin pulling down the shutters at fourteen locations in England, three in Wales and three in Scotland from April.
Even thrift stores are having a hard time Oxfam confirmed last year that it would close eight of its UK stores.
But some stores are bucking the trend and opening new locations.
Primark said it will open five new stores, with one coming within weeks.
Frasers Group has announced it will take over the former John Lewis site in the Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough, to open another new concept store.
B&M will open six new locations in early 2024, including in former Wilko stores that it took over.
WHSmith has said it plans to open 15 new stores in Britain, but these will not be on the high street.
Avon plans to open stores in Britain for the first time in its more than 100-year history.
Costco plans to open 14 new locations in Britain over the next two years, while Greggs will add 160 locations this year.
See the full list of stores opening on the high street in our overview.
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