High street shoe shop with more than 80 branches launches ‘everything must’ go closing down sale at town centre branch
A BRANCH of a popular shoe chain with over 80 stores is set to close its doors for good next month leaving shoppers forced to shop online.
Office Shoes on Old Christchurch Road, the retailer's only branch in Bournemouth, announced the sad news with a sign.
Put up on its front door, it reads: "Everything must go. Unfortunately, our Bournemouth store is closing."
"However, you can still visit us online for all the hottest footwear brands."
A store assistant from the Bournemouth branch confirmed to the Bournemouth Daily Echo that the site will officially shut on September 7.
This follows a string of high street closures in the Dorset coastal town
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They reported that the Accessorize store directly next store shut just one month earlier.
A Boots store in Bournemouth shut in April, while a Clintons closed its shutters just last week on August 11.
Office was founded in London back in 1981 and currently operates over 100 locations globally, around 80 of which are in the UK.
This comes after a major high street retailer shut two busy branches for good today after 33 years of service.
Marks and Spencer has announced the permanent closure of its stores in Gallowtree Gate, Leicester city centre, and The Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill, Surrey, as of today.
It comes after a string of closures in the area, from Sainsbury's to Wilko - as locals fear their high street will become a ghost town.
And shoppers fumed after a town centre Post Office revealed the exact date it would close for good.
The branch in Hobley Parade, Swindon, confirmed it would pull down the shutters on August 30.
But fashion clothing retailers have also been affected by closures.
Customers were gutted to learn that beloved fashion retailer Bonmarché is closing its doors in one of its Midland stores - with one dubbing it a "big mistake".
High street favourite Bonmarché is set to close its branch in Arnold, Nottingham, on September 22.
Shoppers in the town are worried about the impact that the store's closure will have on their community.
It is believed to be closing because the retail unit landlord has asked for more money in rent.
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Local MP Michael Payne even wrote to the company's retail director to explain how this might effect members of the community.
Retailers closing stores in 2024
RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.
Some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.
Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.
We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:
- 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, with two stores closing this year due to leases not being renewed. It has plans to open more in 2024 too.
- 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.
- 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 shut eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.