Bargain chain with more than 500 branches will close its stores next month
A HIGH street bargain chain with more than 500 branches has announced a store closure next month.
Fans have shouted for “all cities to be abandoned” as the retailer closes a branch.
The Works – a discount retailer specializing in crafts – will close its branch in Caernarfon, Wales on March 17.
The future of the staff may be uncertain if the store closes.
But the retailer assured that their employees would be redeployed to stores in Bangor and Llandudno following the closure.
A spokesperson for The Works said: “We can confirm that we will be closing our store in Caernarfon on March 17.
“We have loved being part of the local community and apologize for any inconvenience caused by this closure.
“We are working to redeploy all team members to local stores and customers can continue to shop with us at our nearby stores in Bangor and Llandudno.”
The spokesperson also added that customers can purchase their range online on the retailer's website.
They continued: “We continually review our property portfolio to ensure we have the right mix of stores in the right locations to best serve our customers.
“This occasionally means that we have to close stores, but that we also have to improve our stores with renovations or relocations if a more favorable location becomes available.
“We are also always looking for new locations and have a handful of new openings planned in the coming months.”
Customers were “dismayed” when they heard the news as they fear the town will be “abandoned”.
One person said: “Glad to hear The Works in Caernarfon is closing!
“The concept is suitable for all ages! Why are so many of our stores closing? It's becoming a ghost town.”
Another added: “What's happened to North Wales, all the towns are becoming deserted.”
A third person wrote: “It's not unique to here. Online shopping is the biggest problem, and overhead costs for small businesses. Fuel bills are crippling.”
“At this rate there will only be barbers and barbers left in Caernarfon. That's so sad,” said another.
One commenter said: “New businesses can't afford to start up. It's a vicious cycle destroying the high street.”
What else is happening on the shopping street?
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 and more are in the pipeline.
Sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, data showed the office as National Statistics suggests, down from a 1.4% increase a month earlier.
Peacocks, a major fashion retailer, once had more than 400 stores in the UK but has closed half of them in a major blow to shoppers.
However, it has slowly returned to the high street and has built its portfolio back up to around 350 stores.
In October last year, the chain announced plans to open seven new stores in Wales, England and Scotland.
Matalan is another fashion retailer that has recently closed three of its branches – with plans to close another in February.
Recent figures from the Center for Retail Research show that more than 10,000 stores will close for the last time in 2023, and almost 120,000 jobs will be lost across the sector.
That said, the numbers are lower than in recent years, with more than 150,000 retail jobs lost in 2022.
Meanwhile, despite the circumstances, it's not bad news for all retailers, with some opening stores in the UK.
Primark will open five new stores in a few weeks as it promises 'bigger and better' stores.
This means Primark will reach a total of 195 stores in the UK.
A supermarket giant will open 110 convenience stores this month as part of huge expansion plans.
Asda will convert former Co-op and EG Group sites into Express stores as it aims to become the UK's second largest supermarket chain.