‘Huge blow’ as high street giant to pull down shutters on another branch and hundreds more will follow

A HIGH street giant is pulling down the shutters on another branch in what has been described as a "huge blow" to the area.

Boots is closing down another shop in weeks, with hundreds more set to follow.

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The major pharmacy chain is closing yet another shop, after announcing 21 closures already this year.

Its site in Chaston Place, Watton will be shutting on January 6, 2024.

A local councillor has said that "the blow is going to be huge", according to local news reports.

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."

Another said: "Such a shame another high street store closure."

A third commented: "It will become a ghost town it's become an eye sore."

While a fourth wrote: "So sad and scary it’s happening, also what about the people who work there? More family struggles."

And another said: "A great shame we soon won't have anything in Watton, I was born in this area and it has certainly changed."

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 health and beauty chain has said where stores are closing there is an alternative shop less than three miles away.

It's also closing 150 of its US branches as part of plans to consolidate its portfolio.

In June, in its quarterly results, Boots said: "Evolving the store estate in this way allows Boots to concentrate its team members where they are needed and focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up to date environment."

Here's the full list of Boots sites set to shut in the coming months:

• Cliftonville, Kent - January 20 
• Pemberton, Wigan - January 26
• Hough Lane, Layland, Lancashire - to close in January
• Front Street, Prudhoe - no date
• Rhos on Sea - March 2024 
• Colwyn Bay - April 2024 
• Portland Walk, Barrow - no date 
• Gestridge Road, Teignbridge - no date
• Caerleon Road, Newport - to close in early 2024
• Chepstow Road, Newport - to close in early 2024
• Carlyon Road, St Austell, Cornwall - to close in early 2024
• St Blazey, Cornwall - to close in early 2024
• Lurgan - no date 
• Chard Road, Plymouth - no date
• Mannamead Road, Plymouth - no date 
• Claremont Street, Plymouth - no date

A spokesperson for Boots previously told The Sun: "We can confirm that the stores listed are part of the Boots store consolidation programme previously announced.

"All team members from these stores will be offered alternative roles."

The stores that have already closed in 2023 are as follows:

• Salford Shopping Centre, Greater Manchester - February 2023
• Church Street, Malvern - March 11
• The Port Arcades Shopping Centre, Ellesmere - March 11
• King William Street, London - June 2
• Heathside Road, Woking - end of July
• UEA campus - end of July
• Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff - August 1
• Holywell, Flintshire (Wales) - August 26
• Windhill Road, Wakefield - October 6
• Upper Warrengate, Wakefield - October 7
• Glastonbury - October 13
• Uppingham Road, Leicester - October 13
• Guildford Road, Woking - end of October
• Kings Square, York - October 28
• Warminster - October 28
• Gorleston, Great Yarmouth - November
• High Row, Darlington - November 3
• Mudge Way, Plymouth - November 18
• Mount Pleasant, Exeter - November 18
• Kirkby Ashfield - November 18

Affected team members have been offered opportunities in other stores in the local area.

Boots last closed more than 200 stores over 18 months in 2019.

Boots isn't the only pharmacy chain to shut locations, earlier this year Lloyds closed all of its sites within Sainsbury's stores.

It has struggled with losses for several years and shut 76 stores in 2022.

Retailers have been feeling the pinch since the pandemic while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to soaring inflation.

High energy costs and a shift to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

Brick-and-mortar stores have also seen a lack of footfall due to consumer habits switching to online shopping.

Fashion retailer New Look, which has 400 locations nationwide, shut another one of its branches over the weekend for good.

Co-op's College Green store in Bristol will be closing its doors for the final time on December 9.

Jack Wills in Worcester announced it will be closing down for good this new year.

It's not just shops either, pubs and restaurants have been affected too.

Punters have been left gutted and reminiscing over their last pint as another Wetherspoons pub closed this weekend.

Franco Manca, which has 70 branches, is to close its original site after 15 years.

Meanwhile, here is every shop closing down in December including Poundland and New Look.

Plus, nineteen bank branches are set to close their doors for the final time in December - see the full list.

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