Iconic bookstore closes its doors for the last time with a great ‘loss’ for shoppers

EXHAUSTED shoppers shouted “what a loss” as a “brilliant” and much-loved bookshop pulled down its shutters for good.

The high street favorite, in St Martin’s, Leicester, announced the “sad news” that they would be saying goodbye to customers permanently.

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Independent Fox Books regretfully shared their announcement, saying the store was “no longer sustainable”.

Disappointed owner Ieuan Cox, wrote further Facebook: “I know this will be sad news for many of you.

“Over the past three years I have enjoyed serving customers, organizing events and talking about everything related to books.

“Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, a physical bookstore is no longer sustainable.

“Fox Books will continue online and at events, which will hopefully include a series of regular pop-ups. Watch this space for more details.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped Fox Books get this far.

“I hope you will continue to support Leicester’s independent bookshop as it develops.”

Shocked fans greeted the bookstore, with a flood of supportive messages filling the comments section.

One said: “Sad news. You and your little shop were brilliant.’

Another wrote: “I’m really sorry to hear this, Ieuan. What a loss.”

“Sorry to hear this, Ieuan. Thank you for all you have done to support authors. I’m glad to hear you’re moving on in other ways,” a third chimed in.

Someone else wrote: “I’m sorry, it’s a beautiful store.”

“Great little shop. My wife and I only discovered you a few weeks ago when we stopped by and bought a book on witchcraft. We had a really good chat with you,” wrote another customer.

“Your bookstore was such a beautiful retreat and had the best books, for adults and children,” said one loyal fan.

Customers now have until April 6 to get their last books from the store.

There is now a closing sale, where shoppers receive significant discounts.

It comes as an independent homewares store in the same area suffered a similar fate last year.

Harriman & Co closed down after almost a decade on the high street, but still sells products online.

Meanwhile, a popular restaurant, The Chase, also recently turned away customers after having to close.

And it’s not just independent and small businesses that are suffering from the current climate.

Even industry giants are falling victim to rising bills and customers with less spending money amid the steep cost of living.

Several brands have gone bankrupt and disappeared from our shopping streets forever, such as Wilko and Paperchase.

The latest blow has left six major chains, including Next, The Entertainer, Iceland, Clarks and WHSmith, shutting down.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) this summer showed that Britain had lost 6,000 stores in a five-year period.

Shoppers recently cried at the “very sad news” that a popular discount chain with more than 500 stores would close for good.

Bookworms and bargain hunters were disappointed to hear that an Oxfam bookshop in Bishop’s Stortford, East Hertfordshire, was waving goodbye to customers.

The organization has attributed the closure to the area no longer being a popular shopping destination.

And Oxfam already pulled the plug on many of its branches last year.

Body Shop bosses have also called in administrators with a “significant number” of jobs and stores at risk as the brand looks set to enter an insolvency process.

Meanwhile, popular beauty retailer Boots has also sadly announced it will close 300 stores this year, following several closures in 2023.

And a fellow cosmetics retailer with 66 branches has closed one of its branches.

Beauty giant L’Occitane En Provence pulled down the shutters on Hereford’s old market.

Moreover, bargain hunters were devastated to hear that discount retailer B&M had closed another store.