Three high street retailers closing down stores before Christmas

With the cost-of-living rising and the increase in online shopping, high streets have suffered over the past few years, which has forced many retailers to close their doors.

Almost 10,500 shops closed for the final time last year, according to figures from the Centre for Retail Research. And three retailers, Dobbies, Ann Summers, and The Original Factory Shop, are planning to shut several sites across the UK over the next few weeks.

During the first half of 2024, nearly 7,000 shops belonging to multiple chains closed down for good in the high street, shopping centres or retail parks, according to analysis from PwC. This is equivalent to 38 shops closing daily, up from 36 a day in 2023.

READ MORE: 'Hidden' Tesco Clubcard code that means you won't miss out on deals

But despite this, store openings have grown slightly, going from 24 new openings a day to 25. PwC shows "some level of stability"; however, the net decline remains at around 1 every six months.

Rich Jones, the financial services firm's leader of Hospitality, Sport and Leisure in the UK noted that where consumers "prioritise" their pound has changed over the last few years.

He explained: "There’s been a continued shift, with consumers seeking new experiences and spending more time with friends and family. This should be welcome news for the hospitality sector. However, our data shows continued net closures in the first half, particularly for those businesses hardest hit by energy and labour cost inflation.

"Put simply, adapting to these changes has become an existential matter. As the high street continues to evolve, there will be even more opportunities for new operators to make their mark."

Here are all of the store closures taking place in the final month of the year.

The Original Factory Shop

The discount department store recently confirmed that its branch in Haverfordwest in Wales would be closing on December 14. The Original Factory Shop, established in 1969, offers a range of products from fashion and footwear to homeware and garden essentials.

The discount retailer shared a post on Facebook last month saying: "“We are sorry to let you know our store will close its doors on December 14. We take this opportunity to thank all of the local community and our store colleagues for their support throughout our time here in Haverfordwest.”

This is not the first closure from the retailer as a number of sites have been forced to shut their doors for good over the last year. Overall in 2024, nine Original Factory stores have closed since the start of 2024. These include:

• Brightlingsea, Essex

• Bodmin, Cornwall

• Chepstow, Wales

• Fakenham, Norfolk

• Harwich, Essex

• Mildenhall, Suffolk

• Padiham, Lancashire

• Taunton, Somerset

• Deal, Kent

Ann Summers

Ann Summers is another chain shutting down sites over the festive season with its Doncaster store to close in a matter of weeks. The site in Baxtergate will be pulling down the shutters when it closes on Christmas Eve.

A spokesperson for the brand stated: "As part of the normal course of business, we regularly review the location of our stores, which occasionally results in new site openings, renovations, relocations, and store closures. Unfortunately, the lease on our Doncaster store will come to an end in December 2024 and we will be closing the store."

Ann Summers has not confirmed what will happen to staff working at the site, although in its statement, the brand said workers had been "consulted and informed throughout the process" as their welfare was a "priority". The next closest store for shoppers after the closure will be in Sheffield.

Dobbies

Earlier this year, the popular gardening retailer said it was to close up to 17 stores by the end of the year. Dobbies said the original 17 sites affected were "unprofitable", with 11 mainline sites and six "Little Dobbies" earmarked for closure. Dobbies later confirmed its flagship in Antrim will no longer close after it reached a new agreement with the landlord.

Its restructuring plan was approved by the Court of Session in Scotland this week. Overall nine stores will be shutting this month, with one more store yet to have a confirmed closure date. This is on top of the six Little Dobbies that have already shut down. The full list of Dobbies closures includes:

• Gloucester - December 15

• King’s Lynn - December 15

• Pennine - December 15

• Altrincham - December 17

• Harlestone Heath - December 17

• Gosforth - December 19

• Inverness - December 23

• Reading - December 23

• Stratford-upon-Avon on - December 23

• Huntingdon - TBC