Bargain chain with more than 500 stores that will have to close their doors for HOURS
DISAPPOINTED shoppers called their high street a ‘ghost town’ as another bargain chain pulled down the shutters for good.
The popular company, with more than 500 branches, announced another permanent closure within hours.
The Works in Caernarfon, Wales today waves goodbye to loyal customers.
But it’s not all bad news for the discount craft retailer as staff are moved to nearby branches in Bangor and Llandudno.
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.”
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.”
Disappointed shoppers were quick to hail The Works in light of its closure.
“Such a shame. We go there often,” one wrote on Facebook.
“I was shocked to hear that The Works are leaving,” another added.
A third commented: “Oh no, what a shame, I always buy my books there, it’s always busy too.”
“Oh no. I love The Works, it has something for everyone, especially families and craft lovers,” someone else wrote.
“It will soon become a ghost town,” added another disheartened customer.
One user intervened, saying: “New businesses can’t afford to start up. It’s a vicious cycle destroying the high street.”
It comes as thousands of high street stores have said goodbye amid an epidemic of closures across the UK.
Even Industry giants have fallen victim in recent months.
British retailers saw the amount of goods sold fall last month, at the fastest pace in three years.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, compared to a rise of 1.4% a month earlier.
Body Shop bosses recently 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 discount store Lidl has also seen a large number of locations close.
The full list, of 1,168 locations, includes locations in all parts of Great Britain, including: 66 in Scotland, 83 in Yorkshire, 83 in central England, 91 in south London and 42 in south-mid Wales.
Bargain hunters were also devastated to hear that discount retailer B&M was closing another store.
Meanwhile, Argos, Next, Jack Wills and Poundland have all announced they will permanently close selected branches this year.
It follows rising costs of living, rising energy bills and even some businesses continuing to feel the knock-on effect of the pandemic.
Shoppers have been forced to cut back, while the costs of running stores have also risen.
Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) this summer showed that Britain had lost 6,000 stores in a five-year period.