Several high street brands have announced they will be closing branches in the coming months – putting hundreds of jobs at risk
A growing number of high street brands have revealed plans to shut some of their branches in the weeks and months ahead – putting hundreds of jobs under threat. Among them is Topps Tiles, which will be closing 23 of its 300 stores as part of a series of “self-help measures”.
Eight shops have already shut their doors, with the remaining branches due to follow suit over the next six months. Topps Tiles is yet to confirm which of its locations will be permanently closed. Announcing the new “self-help measures” chief executive Alex Jensen said: “Topps continues to outperform a softer market.
“In light of subdued consumer sentiment and geopolitical uncertainty as well as the cumulative impact of cost inflation, the management team is implementing a targeted programme of self-help measures weighted towards the second half.”
Elsewhere, betting giant William Hill is poised to shut 200 of its high street outlets, pointing the finger at Rachel Reeves’ Budget measures, which will see gambling duty rocket from 21% to 40% from this month.
While the specific branches facing closure are yet to be confirmed, a spokesperson for William Hill’s parent company Evoke said: “Following a thorough review and further to increased cost pressures on the regulated sector including significant tax increases announced by the Government in last year’s Autumn Budget, from May we are closing a number of shops that are no longer sustainable.
“We are offering our full support to our retail colleagues who are affected by these closures.”
“These decisions are never taken lightly; however, in the face of rising cost pressures, we must take action to ensure we can continue to invest in our core retail estate, with the right shops, in the right locations.”
Meanwhile, residents of Carlisle will say goodbye to the much-loved Routledge bakeries, as the 109 year old institution closes all of its branches.
In explaining the move, bosses of the family-run chain stated they were unwilling to endure another year of uncertainty and crippling expenses, including soaring business rates and energy bills. Its website remains active, but no products are listed.
Routledges operated bakeries in the following locations in Carlisle:
- Brook Street
- Central Avenue
- Morton
- Mount Pl
- Newtown
- Warwick Road
- Wigton
Having fallen into administration, the Original Factory Shop will shut four stores on 4 April. This follows the once-cherished brand having already closed branches in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Newquay.
Full list of Original Factory Shop branches closing on April 4
- Redruth, Cornwall
- Stanley, Durham
- Leominster, Herefordshire
- Cainscross, Gloucestershire
