SHUT DOWN
‘It’s a sad day’ say shoppers as huge bargain chain with more than 500 stores to close site after almost 40 years
Several other locations may also be at risk
A MAJOR bargain chain has confirmed it will be pulling down the shutters on another one of its stores.
Oxfam is closing a store in Haverfordwest after deciding it is no longer sustainable to run the branch.
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The store, which is located on Haverfordwest High Street in Wales, has been in the area since 1987.
Locals have shared their response to the news online saying they were sad to see the branch close.
One user said: “It’s a sad day when charity shops close.”
“Nice shop with friendly and helpful staff,” said another.
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An Oxfam spokesperson told The Sun: “We truly regret the shop in Haverfordwest is closing due to unsustainable building maintenance and ongoing high running costs: such decisions are always made with a heavy heart and are never taken lightly.
“We’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to our staff, volunteers and the local community who have generously supported Oxfam’s lifesaving work around the world.
The brand aims to continue to assist those who are most in need.
This is not the first branch that Oxfam has closed this year a bookshop Bishop's Stortford, East Hertfordshire, in February earlier this year.
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Oxfam currently has 548 shops open throughout the UK, however pulled the plug on many last year.
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The locations where branches have already closed:
- Alfreton
- Arnold
- Leigh
- Lee-on-the-Solent
The following stores have also been marked for closure:
- Temple Fortune
- Worthing
- Kentish Town
- Grimsby
Oxfam isn’t the only charity shop to close stores, The Salvation Army closed a store in Bourne and another in Cornerswell Road, Penarth.
What is happening to the high street?
High street retailers have struggled in recent years as shoppers increasingly turn to online retail.
High energy costs and business rates have hit retailers hard.
This has left some businesses grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
Many Brits have turned to second-hand outlets such as Vinted and eBay making things even harder for charity shops.
Several well-known major brands have fallen into administration including Wilko and Paperchase.
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This year, The Body Shop fell into administration and has seen dozens of branches close and 82 will have shut in total by the end of the month.
Boots announced it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
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RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
Here's a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:
- Argos - The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
- B&Q - The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, so chances are you have one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
- Boots - The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer's estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
- Clintons - Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We've listed the stores affected.
- Costa Coffee - The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you'll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We've revealed which stores are due to close this year.
- Iceland - The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
- Lidl - The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
- M&S - M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It's not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops as well.
- Trespass - The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
- WHSmith - The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.
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