'The end of the shopping street as we know it' fans shout as shoe chain closes shop
A POPULAR shoe chain has closed the doors of one of its city center stores.
High street designer brand Kurt Geiger has downed the shutters of its Brighton store for the final time.
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The chain, which has a total of 76 locations including concessions and retail outlets, has closed several other stores in recent years and also opened nine.
Shoppers reacted to the news of the closure on social media.
One resident wrote: 'Like it or not, time has moved on. Most people shop differently now.
“Rightly or wrongly, this is the end of 'the shopping street' as we knew it!”
Another said: “The destruction of our high streets and turning our town centers into wastelands is accelerating.”
A third commented: “I hope all the staff find new jobs. Lovely looking shop on the high street.”
A fourth posted: “Blimey hasn't had an update in so long.
“It's a shame. The brand that does beautiful things, it's annoying to have another empty store on the shopping street.”
Reviews for the store on Google have labeled the site as “colorful” and “nice and bright.”
While others were eager to return for their next pair of shoes.
One shopper said: “I bought a pair of beautiful leather boots from the store. I have never been so happy with a purchase. The customer service is exceptional, they are friendly and understanding.
“There's no doubt I'll be going back for my next pair of shoes.”
And another wrote: “I love this store…the staff are smart, friendly and helpful.
“Really enjoy my new shoes more because of the fun shopping experience.”
The Sun has reached out to Kurt Geiger for comment on this closure and will update the store as soon as we know more.
Brighton isn't the only city to lose a Kurt Geiger store in recent months.
The Newcastle branch on Eldon Square closed its doors in June last year.
Earlier in 2023, Nottingham also lost its Bridlesmith Gate branch.
Kurt Geiger also closed the store in Bath's SouthGate shopping center in December 2019.
Although in 2021 the chain confirmed it would open a total of nine new locations, including concessions.
The chain was first introduced to the British high street in 1963, opening on London's Bond Street.
It is known as a luxury British shoe and accessory brand.
The chain currently has 48 stores and a total of 28 concessions within department stores such as Harrods and Fenwick.
What else is happening on the shopping street?
Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, as shoppers cut back on spending due to the rising cost of living.
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.
Several major brands have also collapsed, such as Wilko and Paperchase.
Many retailers are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
British retailers saw the amount of goods sold fall last month, at the fastest pace in three years, as under-pressure households moved some of their Christmas shopping to earlier this year.
Sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, Office for National Statistics data showed, compared with a 1.4% increase a month earlier.
Several major chains are pulling down the shutters for the last time this month.
An iconic department store has also closed its flagship store in London forever.
Last year it was announced that Fenwick would close its central London store on Bond Street for good, and on February 3 the shutters were pulled down for the final time.
A Tesco Express in Whitefriars Shopping Center is temporarily closed until March 4.
Lidl will pull down the shutters on its Thornaby site later this month.
The bargain retailer has confirmed that its Stockton-on-Tees locations will close on February 29.
Boots revealed it would close 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to develop its brand.
Fashion chain Peacocks downed the shutters of its branch in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, last month.
Entertainment retailer HMV also closed its branch in Boston, Lincolnshire on January 27.
And the catering sector has also been hit: pubs such as Wetherspoons and restaurants such as Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito have closed their doors.
Meanwhile, shoppers are left disappointed after a beloved electronics store announced it will close one of its locations for good.
Furthermore, Wetherspoons fans were left sad after a sudden closure last week saw the shutters pulled down on their favorite pub.
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