Another UK town centre is set to suffer a blow with the announcement of a shop closure. Outdoor clothing retailer, Trespass, is closing its branch at the Harlequin shopping centre in Watford on October 31.
A closing down sale started in July, with “everything must go” posters advertising bargains for shoppers. The branch is one of the latest store closures to be made public in recent days. Trespass has been approached for comment.
Trespass had announced half a dozen store closures in July 2023, but only one, Chesterfield, appears to have closed since then.
High street giants including Poundland, Sports Direct and Starbucks have all announced branch closure plans recently.
Poundland has confirmed over 50 closures amid wider restructuring plans for the budget retailer which was sold by Pepco Group to investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1 in June.
Closure plans for 11 branches were put on hold earlier this month, though the retailer announced 100 jobs were to go at its head office.
Sports Direct has seen a net reduction in its UK stores, shutting 13 of its outlets. Overall though, the retailer has seen its total retail floorspace increase.
Starbucks is set to close some of its UK branches after a review of its global coffee shops.
The company has launched a consultation over the proposed closure of a number of company-owned UK stores, putting workers at the sites at risk. It hasn’t disclosed how many stores will be affected, where these are located and how many workers will be affected. The coffee giant runs around 520 company-owned stores in the UK as well as franchise-owned outlets.
Retailing across the West has been in crisis for years, according to the Centre for Retail Research.
It has identified soaring rents in city centres, a growth in online retailing, the Covid pandemic and high inflation as all taking their toll on high streets.
Stores can also close as a result of lease expiries which may result from the landlord wanting to do something else with their property or it not being possible to agree terms for a new lease.
