Bargain chain with 200 stores confirms permanent closure of ANOTHER branch

A LARGE discount department store chain with 200 stores is closing another branch.

The Original Factory Shop will down the shutters of its Milford store in Surrey after several closures last year.

The discounter sells a range of bargains, from homeware to stationery.

It has been in business since 1969 and has around 190 stores in the UK.

Now it has been revealed that The Original Factory Shop will close its Charles Street store after 13 years in what will be another blow to the high street.

The branch first opened in Milford Haven in June 2010 – in the building originally occupied by Woolworths.

Other branches in Haverfordwest and Fishguard remain open.

Locals took to social media to express their disappointment.

One person wrote: “So sad to read. I go there regularly and the staff are fantastic.”

Another added: “Another nail in the coffin for Charles Street.”

A spokesperson for TOFS said: “We regularly review the stores on our estate and have unfortunately decided to close our store in Milford Haven.

“We are in consultation with colleagues in the store and are working hard to support everyone affected.

“We would like to thank all our customers for their support and look forward to welcoming them to one of our other two stores, both within a twenty-mile radius.”

It comes after a tumultuous period for businesses struggling to recover after the combination of Covid and rising energy bills.

Food and pub chains have also closed in several locations around the country, such as Wetherspoons pubs and the closing locations of Frankie & Benny's.

With costs also high for shoppers, this means people have cut back on non-essentials and prices continue to rise.

For many consumers, there has also been a move to online shopping, meaning brick-and-mortar stores are struggling.

Brick-and-mortar stores have also experienced a lack of foot traffic due to consumers' shift to online shopping.

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 the next year as part of plans to develop its 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 branches will close next month.