‘End of an era’ grumble shoppers as high street retailer with 240 branches to close ‘fantastic’ store

SHOPPERS have been left devastated after a high street chain with 240 branches announced it is closing another store.

Game has branches across the UK and has become a go-to brand for entertainment fans.

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The retailer was bought by billionaire businessman Mike Ashley's Frasers Group in 2019 as part of a £52million deal.

But by January 2020 it had announced plans to close 40 of its more than 300 stores across the UK.

As of today, there are over 240 Game stores nationwide.

But now, Game is to close its store in Union Square Shopping Centre in Torquay, Devon, according to local news reports.

The Sun has contacted the Frasers Group for comment.

On its Google reviews, the branch has been described as a "joy" and "fantastic".

Shoppers have taken to social media to share their disappointment over the store's closure.

One Facebook user said: "End of an era."

Another wrote: "Perfect spot for a charity shop that."

A third replied: "Or another Turkish barber."

While a fourth cried: "Last time I bought a new game from there was probably 2010.

"It's difficult to compete with online and supermarkets."

Game has closed several branches in recent months, including those in Wales and Oxfordshire.

Meanwhile, two were closed last year in Plymouth and Cambridge.

Below is a full list of Game stores that have closed in recent months:

• Newton Abbot, Devon - March 17
• Rugby, Warwickshire - January 17
• Exeter, Devon - January
• Witney, Oxfordshire - January 7
• Huntington, Cambridgeshire - January 14
• Newport, Wales - October 18
• Nuneaton, Warwickshire - November 10

Meanwhile, Game in Rhyl and Grimsby will also close in Spring.

House of Fraser, which is also owned by the Frasers Group, has also shutters several of its shops.

The once-iconic department store was saved from collapse by Mike Ashley back in 2018.

But while the deal saved the chain's 59 stores and 17,000 workers who were facing the axe many more stores have closed in recent years and only 28 department stores remain.

A string of shops shut in 2023, including in Birmingham, Cardiff and Guildford.

What else is happening to Frasers Group chains?

It's not just House of Fraser and Game shops shutting, other Frasers Group chains have been decreasing their store numbers too.

A Sports Direct branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, will be pulling the shutters down for good at the end of March.

Sports Direct also shuttered its branch in the Central Six Retail Park, Coventry, at the end of January.

The Flannels site in Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton, pulled down its shutters for the final time in the new year.

It also shut its site in Bradford in January despite only opening back in October.

Designer clothing chain Choice has pulled the shutters down on one of its stores in Bromley.

Frasers Group took on Base Childrenswear and Kids Cavern as part of a £47.5million deal in December 2022.

But the retail group has called in administrators for both Base Childrenswear and Kids Cavern just 16 months later.

It also put  luxury brand Matchesfashion into administration earlier this month.

It's not all bad news though as the firm has opened several sites recently.

Frasers Group has already started opening "new concept" stores.

The concept stores hold various Frasers brands like Sports Direct, Flannels, and beauty halls as well as products from USC, Jack Wills and GAME.

In September, it cut the ribbon on the latest of its new department stores combining popular brands like Sports Direct and Game in Norwich.

There are plans to open two further sites in Blackpool and Sheffield.

The group also announced it will be taking over the former John Lewis site at Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough. 

It is set to open a new branch of sportswear shop in The Precinct in Coventry.

The firm has acquired Compton House on Liverpool's famous Church Street and is set to open a flagship Sports Direct.

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.

Several major brands have collapsed in 2023, including Wilko and Paperchase.

The Lidl news comes just weeks after The Body Shop tumbled into administration.

It then announced last week that it would be closing almost half of its 198 stores.

Seven branches shut with immediate effect including sites in Surrey Quays and Oxford Street, London.

In early February, Hobbycraft's owner, Bridgepoint, was reported to be exploring "strategic options" for the business.

These options could include putting the retailer up for auction.

In January, struggling fashion brand Superdry said it was looking at various "cost-saving options" after reports it is considering a major restructuring which could include store closures and job cuts.

It was working with advisers at PwC on a plan which could lead to a CVA or another form of restructuring.

Such a move could result in store closures and potentially force rent reductions with landlords.

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