A MAJOR high street shoe chain with 1,400 shops is closing one of its branches for good today.
One of the Clarks in Gloucestershire will pull down the shutters for the final time this afternoon.
Parents have been left devastated by the news they’ll now have to travel out of town to buy their youngsters’ school shoes.
The store in the Stroud’s high street is closing for good with the staff undergoing “consultation”.
Locals were quick to share their upset over the closure when it was first announced.
One wrote on social media: “This is such a shame there are not going to be any shoe shops in Stroud or clothes shops.”
Another said: “This is so sad. Always got my child’s shoes from here.”
To which one added: “So many shop and business closing in this area. I see it every time I walk around here. So sad for what is left.”
Others said “another useful business bites the dust”.
Another person said: “Something really needs to be done to help small towns like Stroud to survive.
“As the big banks close down (I don’t think there are any left beyond Lloyds) – struggling high streets continue to decline as online shopping gathers pace.”
It was reported that the Clarks branch was due to shut on June 10, but the closing date was brought forward.
Families in the area wanting to buy new school shoes will now have to buy online or travel outside of Stroud.
Tony Davey, chair of the Stroud Chamber of Trade and Commerce, previously said the news was “very sad” and “will leave a gap to fill in the town”.
A Clarks spokesperson previously said: “We have a strong duty of care to all our employees, and we are working closely with the store teams as they go through a period of consultation.
“We thank them all for their dedication in serving our customers over the years.
“We’d like to thank our loyal customers who have shopped with us at our store in Stroud.
Something really needs to be done to help small towns like Stroud to survive.
“We’ll be delighted to continue to serve them with our full range of products online and at our nearby Clarks stores in Cheltenham and Cirencester, as well as at our outlet store at the Gloucester Quays.”
It’s the second footwear store Stroud residents have lost after Shoezone also closed its branch in the town on April 19.
The sad news come after Clarks shut down its location on Marlborough’s High Street on April 22, leaving locals without a dedicated shoe shop in the area.
The high street giant was founded in 1825 and operated across 1,400 stores and franchises internationally at its peak.
But as of July 2023, the brand had just 320 UK stores – with plenty more having shut since then.
All is not lost for shoppers though, as the retailer has also relocated and opened new shops.
The brand opened a new store on East Street in Taunton in April 2023 following the closure of its original high street store.
Clarks also opened up a new store in Newcastle’s Eldon Square shopping centre on May 14 last year.
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 are a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.
While 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 as well.
- 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 shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.