Four high street retailers and pub chains to shut stores this week as fans cry ‘another bit of history’s gone’

FOUR high street retailers and a pub chain have shut stores this week as fans cry 'another bit of history's gone."

The Entertainer, Poundland, Boots and Wetherspoons are some of the big names to have announced shock closures this week prompting protest from customers.

Boots is closing down another shop in weeks with hundreds more set to followCredit: Getty

Poundland is one of the big name retailers to reduce their presence on the high streetCredit: Getty

Retailers have said the cost of lockdown followed by price inflation and the cost of living crisis have combined to create a perfect storm on the high streetCredit: Getty

The Entertainer confirmed the closure of their toy shop in Bristol's The Galleries Shopping Centre. The shop is set to pull down its shutters for the final time on January 6.

And Poundland has decided not to renew the lease on its store at Bayview Shopping Centre, Colwyn Bay, Wales.

And the latest in a long list of Boots' stores set to close is the store in Chaston Place, Watton. January 6 will be the final day of trading.

Breckland Councillor Tina Kiddell stated: "The blow is going to be huge to the town especially considering people are being encouraged to speak to a pharmacist when they're poorly and not overload the doctor's surgery - which is already overloaded as well."

Shoppers have also been reacting to the news on social media.
One wrote: "So it's confirmed. Boots closing January 6.
"It's been a pain the last six months but I will miss it."

It comes after Boots announced plans to massively consolidate its portfolio of 2,200 UK stores to 1,900.

A total of 16 branches have already closed, in Leicester, York, Plymouth and Exeter. And a further 16 are set to close shortly, with several shutting in the New Year.

The Percy Shaw in Halifax is the latest Wetherspoons pub set for the chop.

The last orders bell will ring for the last time on January 7, after the site was sold.

Locals have taken to social media to share their disappointment over the pub's closure.
One Facebook user said: "What?! Why?"
Another added: "Sad times."
A third wrote: "Wow! Another bit of history gone."

In a statement on Facebook, Wetherspoons said: "As many have heard, The Percy Shaw will be transferring to independent ownership from January 2024.

"We are extremely excited to be taking this fantastic venue forward in 2024.

"We will be bringing back a few brands that were lost in the past couple of years such as John Smiths and Fosters to supplement other favourites like Carling, Coors, Shipyard to name a few.

"We will be serving food and prices will be very similar to the current prices in the Percy Shaw."

Retailers have said the cost of lockdown followed by price inflation and the cost of living crisis have combined to create a perfect storm on the high street.

Popular chains including M&Co, Paperchase and Wilko closed all stores in 2023.

Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.