‘No way’ moan shoppers as high street clothing chain with 345 branches shuts store for final time TODAY

YET another branch of a discount fashion retailer closed its doors after shutting 345 stores nationwide - and customers are distraught.

Peacocks, on Holywell High Street in Flintshire, Wales, shut down today, leaving its closest alternative almost 5 miles away.

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The Welsh chain is famous for flogging fashionable clothing on the cheap and the Holywell store announced a closing down sale a few months ago.

Gutted shoppers flocked to Facebook to share their dismay.

One gobsmacked shopper bemoaned: "No way", while a former member of staff expressed sorrow at the chain's decision.

He wrote: "Can't believe today's the day that Peacocks Holywell is closing for good.

"I have many a good memory from working there with an amazing team for 10 years!

"Good luck to them all going forward."

Another user urged the retailer to "rethink this decision", claiming their business was "so important to Holywell town and customers".

A different user lamented: "We will have nothing left other than charity shops and bookmakers."

Previously, Facebook users said: "It's one of nicest Peacock stores around."

But another chimed in with some wisdom: "Holywell needs some investment."

Another popular Peacocks store in Merthyr Tydfil, part of the South Wales Valleys shut its doors in March.

The closure comes as the brand admitted they collapsed into administration back in 2020.

The shutdown follows a recent string with a Peacocks in Arc Shopping Centre in Bury St Edmunds closing on January 25th 2024.

Peacocks, owned by the Edinburgh Woollen Mill group, were forced to close just over 200 of its 400 stores but have shut a further 145 since.

This is despite a rescue deal in 2021 where a group of international investors saved it from administration and protected roughly 2,000 jobs.

A spokesperson for Peacocks confirmed the Holywell closure but The Sun has also reached out for a comment.

The high street has struggled over the last few years due to rising costs forcing households to cut back and a shift towards online shopping.

The face of the high street is changing at a rapid rate leaving some town centres almost unrecognisable.

Since many shut down during the pandemic, many people took to shopping online and continued with that trend.

This has left many high street retailers with a much lower footfall meaning that having physical stores is no longer viable.

This coupled with the rising cost of living and increased rents has seen some big-name retailers vanish altogether.

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