ANOTHER branch of a discount fashion retailer has closed its doors for the final time today leaving customers distraught.
Peacocks, on Holywell High Street in Flintshire, Wales, shut down today, leaving its closest alternative almost five miles away.
The chain is famous for flogging fashionable clothing on the cheap and the Holywell store announced a closing down sale a few months ago.
Gutted shoppers flocked to Facebook to share their dismay.
One gobsmacked local bemoaned: “No way”, while a former member of staff expressed sorrow at the chain’s decision.
He wrote: “Can’t believe today’s the day that Peacocks Holywell is closing for good.
“I have many a good memory from working there with an amazing team for 10 years!
“Good luck to them all going forward.”
Another user urged the retailer to “rethink this decision”, claiming their business was “so important to Holywell town and customers”.
A different user lamented: “We will have nothing left other than charity shops and bookmakers.”
Previously, Facebook users said: “It’s one of nicest Peacock stores around.”
But another chimed in with some wisdom: “Holywell needs some investment.”
Another popular Peacocks store in Merthyr Tydfil, part of the South Wales Valleys shut its doors in March.
The shutdown follows a handful of closures for the high street stalwart in recent months. A Peacocks in Arc Shopping Centre in Bury St Edmunds closed on January 25 2024.
The shop in Ashford’s County Square Shopping Centre in Kent closed on March 23.
Peacocks in Camborne, Cornwall, shut on April 3 and Boscombe, Bournemouth, on April 6 in a blow for locals.
Peacocks collapsed into administration in 2020 and was forced to close just over 200 of its 400 stores.
The chain was rescued in April 2021 and was able to keep its remaining stores open, saving 2,000 jobs.
It currently has around 350 locations across the country.
A spokesperson for Peacocks confirmed the Holywell closure but The Sun has also reached out for a comment.
Some retailers have closed a few branches here and there for various reasons, like when a store lease has come to an end.
Other examples of one-off rather than widespread closures is if there are changes in the area, like a shopping centre closing, and in some cases a shop will close to relocate to another area.
Retailers closing stores in 2024
RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.
Some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.
Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.
We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:
- Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
- B&Q – The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, with two stores closing this year due to leases not being renewed. It has plans to open more in 2024 too.
- Boots – The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer’s estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
- Clintons – Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We’ve listed the stores affected.
- Costa Coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We’ve revealed which stores are due to close this year.
- Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
- Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
- M&S – M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It’s not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops.
- Trespass – The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
- WHSmith – The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shut eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.
Some chains have faced tougher conditions though, forcing them to shut dozens of stores, or all of them in the worst case.
The high street has struggled over the last few years due to rising costs forcing households to cut back and a shift towards online shopping.
The face of the high street is changing at a rapid rate leaving some town centres almost unrecognisable.
Since many shut down during the pandemic, many people took to shopping online and continued with that trend.
This has left many high street retailers with a much lower footfall meaning that having physical stores is no longer viable.
This coupled with the rising cost of living and increased rents has seen some big-name retailers vanish altogether.
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