One of Britain’s biggest high street names has announced it will shut one of its UK stores for the first time in over ten years. Primark has confirmed that its branch in The Orchards Shopping Centre in Dartford will close in the new year. The clothing retailer has more than 190 stores across the country and is a popular choice for affordable fashion, homeware and beauty products.
But the Dartford location is now set to shut its doors for good after Christmas, though no final date has yet been given. A spokesperson said the decision was linked to the condition of the building and the costs involved in bringing it up to standard.
Philippa Nibbs, Primark’s director of sales for the South and South East, said: “Following careful consideration, we’re proposing to close our Dartford store in the new year.
“This proposal has been informed by the significant and extensive repair work the building requires.
“Given its close proximity to two other Primark stores, the level of investment it needs simply isn’t viable.”
The company confirmed that the store will remain open for now and said further updates will be shared when available.
Staff at the Dartford branch have been informed, and a period of consultation is under way.
The retailer said it will explore options to support the store’s 53 employees, including potential redeployment.
Primark also thanked customers for their support and acknowledged the closure would come as a disappointment to the local community.
Although Dartford will lose its store, two larger Primark branches are located nearby. One is at the Bluewater shopping centre in Greenhithe, and the other is in Bexleyheath.
The company said both locations offer an extensive range of products and have impacted footfall at the smaller Dartford branch.
Primark opened its first store in England in 1974 and has grown to become one of the UK’s biggest retailers.
Despite the Dartford closure, the company has not announced any further plans to shut stores in Britain.
The news comes as other high street chains report similar pressures. JD Sports recently confirmed it had closed 13 UK shops over the last six months.
The sportswear chain said the move followed weaker sales and “strained” shopper finances.
