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Colchester's Paperchase store 'permanently closes' after brand taken over

Shut - Closing down posters appeared in the windows of the Colchester Paperchase store <i>(Image: Lynn Whitmore)</i>
Shut - Closing down posters appeared in the windows of the Colchester Paperchase store (Image: Lynn Whitmore)

A CITY centre stationery store is believed to have been “permanently closed” down after its future was thrown into doubt earlier this year.

Paperchase, which was a staple of Culver Square Shopping Centre, in Colchester, has shut its doors for good, the Gazette understands.

The likelihood of it remaining open indefinitely came into question back in February when supermarket juggernaut Tesco purchased the brand but not its shops.

The takeover came after the struggling company, founded in 1968, officially revealed 106 branches across the country could be closed down.

Gazette:
Gazette:

Paperchase’s online store locator tool, however, now says the Shewell Walk store in is no longer open and calls to the number connected to the unit ring go unanswered.

Referring specifically to the Colchester store, a note on the Paperchase website reads: “Sadly this store is now permanently closed.”

David King, leader of Colchester Council, has sent his well-wishes to the store’s staff and said he hopes an equally as popular replacement can be found.

He said: “I understand how personal this will be for the staff and the store’s loyal customers and I offer my sympathy to them – this will be a hard time for them.


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“I regret the loss of any brand at any time but I hope as the city continues to do well there will be other opportunities for similar iconic stores to put their roots down.

“In the meantime I wish well all those affected by the closure and I add my voice of confidence to overall vitality of the city.”

Gazette:
Gazette:

Prior to shutting, closing down posters appeared in the windows of the Paperchase shop, which had sold everything from notepads to greeting cards.

Somewhat confusingly, and despite the looming closure, the posters suggested new stock was “arriving daily” but would benefit from an “up to 50 per cent” discount.

Speaking previously, Sam Good, BID manager at Our Colchester, said: "We are running an employment and skills programme we are confident can support retail workers in finding new jobs straight away.”