Bosses running Stoke-on-Trent’s main shopping centre remain bullish – despite the closure of the latest store. American sportswear chain Lids has removed the sign from outside its Hanley store and pulled the shutters down.
It follows a turbulent 25 months at The Potteries Centre with staffing issues meaning the shop was not always open. Now it has finally closed for good.
It comes as fashion chain USC is due to shut its Potteries Centre unit next month.
A Potteries Centre spokesman said: “We’re disappointed to hear that Lids at The Potteries Centre has closed down. This is a commercial decision taken by the brand. We wish their staff well.
“We’re always working hard to refresh our store line-up with new and exciting retailers to give our visitors the best possible shopping experience. We are currently in discussion with a number of retailers who are keen to have a store in our centre. We’ll be in a position to announce new brands soon.”
The Lids closure is a further blow for The Potteries Centre which has already been left reeling by the closure of Superdry, The Candle Shop, Topshop, Topman, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Peacocks, Poundland and the Body Shop among others in recent years. The two anchor stores – last occupied by Next and Debenhams – also remain empty.
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