BYE BYE
High street jeweller with 100 locations closes ‘lovely’ store for good in exit from busy shopping centre
This is the retailer's third store closure in just one month
A POPULAR high street jeweller with 100 locations has confirmed another store closure.
Ernest Jones abruptly closed a branch in Slough late last week.
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The retailer has become a go-to shop for special occasions like engagements and anniversaries.
The brand is owned by Signet Trading, which also operates brands such as H. Samuel and Diamonds Direct.
The store was located inside Slough's Queensmere Shopping Centre but it has now vacated the premises.
Shoppers have nothing left but positive reviews for the Ernest Jones store on Google.
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One user said: “Great little shop with a wide variety of jewellery and watches.”
“Lovely place to buy odd bits and pieces of jewellery,” said another
A third user said the store has: “Helpful friendly staff.”
The Sun had reached out to Ernest Jones for comment.
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A spokesperson for Ernest Jones told the Slough & South Bucks Observer: "Closing a store is never a decision we take lightly and so we’re sorry to be leaving Queensmere Shopping Centre."
Local media reports the shopping centre is due to be knocked down and redeveloped which would leave no place for the jeweller.
The shopping centre was due to be demolished last year but plans have stalled as Slough Council is still seeking central government support with the project.
This is the third Ernest Jones store closure we have seen in the past month.
Ernest Jones pulled the shutters down on its Warrington store in March and a store in Stockport.
What else is happening on the high street?
Retailers have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic with shoppers cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking a toll and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year and more are on the way.
The Body Shop is currently going through administration and announced plans to close half of its 198 stores with seven already closed.
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Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
WHSmith told The Sun it has no plans to open anymore more high street stores as it wants to focus on the travel side of its business.
Retailers closing stores in 2024
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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