Iconic coffee chain with 1,100 branches that have to close their shop doors for good within HOURS
COFFEE lovers shouted “not at all” as an iconic 1,100-branch chain announced it was pulling down the shutters for good.
Starbucks fans were left saddened to hear that their store in Dalton Park, in Murton, Country Durham, would close in a matter of hours.
In fact, loyal customers will have to say goodbye to the popular coffee shop today as staff serve their last drink.
But it’s not all bad news for Starbucks lovers, as the industry giant revealed exciting plans for the future.
A spokesperson for the US coffee chain wrote: “We regularly review our portfolio to ensure our stores are located in locations that are relevant to our customers while maintaining healthy business growth.
“We can confirm that our store in Dalton Park, County Durham will close on March 10, but we have plans to open a drive-thru in the area soon.
“We want to thank our customers for their loyalty over the years and let them know they can find the store nearest to them through Starbucks Store Locator.”
Disappointed fans greeted their beloved coffeehouse and left messages of support.
“I wish all the friendly staff the best of luck. They were always very friendly and made the best coffee around. Much better than Costa. I will miss it, it was a lovely treat in Dalton Park. There are no other decent coffee places around now more,” wrote one disappointed. customer.
Another fan wrote: “Wow, I’m surprised because it’s always full.”
A third agreed: “Too bad because I love a Starbucks too.”
“No way, I like Starbucks coffee and toasted fruit bread,” someone else wrote.
Another added: “I’m sure they haven’t been open that long? Sad.”
Meanwhile, a Dalton Park spokesperson hinted at an “exciting and hugely popular brand” that would replace Starbucks.
“At Dalton Park we are always working hard to add more exciting brands to our store offering to further enhance our outlet offering and give our visitors the best possible shopping experience,” the spokesperson said.
“We are currently in discussions with a number of retailers who would like to join Dalton Park this year.
“We will be announcing new brands soon, including news of a very exciting and hugely popular brand that will be acquiring the Starbucks unit.”
And locals speculate a Greggs is ready to take its place.
A spokesperson for the fast food chain confirmed that a new store will be opening in County Durham “within months”.
It comes as the international coffee giant recently pulled down the shutters on other sites.
At the end of last year, Starbucks permanently closed its coffeehouse on Botanic Avenue, Belfast.
The chain also closed its branch in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, on July 21, according to local news reports.
But in March last year the company announced that it would open 100 new stores in the United Kingdom.
Starbucks said the franchise will spend more than £30 million to ensure the new cafes open.
The coffee giant already has 1,066 UK sites, of which 318 are company-owned and 748 are run by licensees.
DEATH OF THE HOOFSTRAAT
It comes as 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.
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.
Moreover, bargain hunters were devastated to hear that discount retailer B&M had closed another store.
Retailers will close stores in 2024
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 switch to online shopping are also taking their toll, and many high street stores are struggling to continue.
Here’s a list of all the major brands closing their stores this year:
- Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone stores in the UK last year as it looks to break away from the high street and focus on expanding its supermarket presence.
- B&V – The chain has over 300 stores across the UK, so there’s a good chance there’s one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
- Boots – The health and beauty chain announced last July that it would close 300 stores. The closures are ongoing and will reduce the retailer’s store count from 2,200 to 1,900 stores.
- Clintons – Clintons late last year considered plans to close 38 stores in an effort to avoid bankruptcy. We have listed the affected stores.
- Costa coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 locations nationwide, so there’s a good chance there’s one near you. The chain recently closed the doors of dozens of locations. We’ve revealed which stores are closing this year.
- Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores, but closed almost twenty locations in 2023, and more select stores will close.
- Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing store locations, causing a number of stores to close. But the retailer also wants to open twelve new supermarkets.
- MRS – M&S, which has 405 stores across the country, has closed a string of branches across the country in a blow to shoppers. But it’s not all bad news, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new stores.
- Offence – The company announced in July last year that it would close six branches, but more are in the pipeline.
- W.H.Smith – The retail giant, which operates more than 1,100 stores, has closed eight stores since March 2023, but more are on the way.