A major retailer with 300 nationwide stores will close a high street shop forever within 24 hours. Outdoor clothing and shoe retailer Trespass will close a Buckinghamshire store in the Aylesbury Friars Square Shopping Centre on Sunday, May 18.
Customers have expressed their disappointment online after the outdoor chain launched a closing-down sale to get rid of stock, signalling the imminent closure. It’s part of wider closures for the retail giant as it looks to scale back on costs due to falling customer numbers. Last year it closed at least 12 shops, including those in Coventry, Norwich, and Middlesbrough, despite two of them only having been open for a couple of years. In 2023, Trespass also confirmed six closures.
Trespass customers voiced their upset online, with one saying: “It’s a shame – we’ve bought hiking gear and waterproofs here for years. Not sure where we’ll go now.”
Customers had previously praised the store while it was open: “Great service from the team in Aylesbury! Great products and quality. From shirts and boots to all weather gear. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
Aylesbury has been blighted by other closures this year, including garden centre Dobbies, which shut a few months ago, and Marshall Motor Group in March.
It follows a wider pattern across the high street, with many large names, including retailers, banks, and supermarkets, announcing closures.
WHSmith has completely scaled back and announced it will now focus on the travel sector in airports and train stations.
Spanish bank Santander has closed many branches or reduced its hours due to a customer shift towards online banking, a stance that other banks such as Lloyds and Natwest have also taken.
Morrisons also announced a major change to shut 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores, more than 50 Morrisons Cafés, as well as Market Kitchens, florists, meat counters, fish counters and pharmacies.
