UK high street store closures have affected many retailers, from independent shops to big, well-known brands.
According to the latest data from the Retail Research Center, between January and June 2024, 1,846 stores have been closed and 23,982 jobs have been lost.
Although the number of store closures this year has been much lower than in 2023, when 10,949 stores were closed, it is still possible for the numbers to creep up before the end of the year.
At least 10 stores closed in July, including those of Poundland, B&M, B&Q and Robert Dyas, while Marks and Spencer, Tesco and Clinton Cards have led the brands to close stores this month.
Now the major home improvement chain, CTD Tiles, is following suit by closing 56 branches. Meanwhile, Tesco and WHSmith are preparing to bid farewell to their respective branches.
Which stores are closing?
Newcastle-based brand CTD Tiles is to close a total of 56 sites and cut 268 jobs, administrators have said. Its downfall came after its peak, when the brand had 86 stores across the UK and employed 425 staff.
CTD went into default on Monday 19 August as it came under pressure from the downturn in the housebuilding industry.
Administrators Interpath Advisory said rival Topps has struck a £9m deal to buy CTD’s brands, intellectual property, shares, 30 stores and distribution point operations in Leeds and Kings Norton.
About 92 employees will keep their jobs and move to Topps. Administrators also announced that they will retain another 65 people to handle the transition of the administrative process.
However, it has been confirmed that the remaining 56 stores have now closed, leading to the “regrettable” decision to make 268 staff redundant.
WHSmith, known for its best-selling books, newspapers and stationery, will also close its stores in September.
Shoppers visiting the Stanley Square store in Cheshire will see the branch pull down the shutters for good on Saturday 14 September.
Its iconic blue and white facade will be torn down later this year in a crushing blow to locals who described the area’s retail prospects as “dying fast”.
It is not the first store WHSmith has axed this year, with several others already closing, including a high street branch in Slough, Berkshire.
This does not mean the business is in jeopardy, a spokesperson confirmed: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Sale will close on Saturday 14 September due to the landlord’s refurbishment plans. We are disappointed to have lost our presence in Sale and would like to thank all our customers for their support and shopping.” they said.
Tesco shoppers in High Wycombe are temporarily closing one of their biggest Tesco stores. The local supermarket will downsize to the ground floor only after renegotiating the lease with Buckinghamshire Council, which owns the building.
The store is expected to close between October 2024 and autumn 2025, when the renovation takes place on the ground floor.
According to local news, the purpose of the move is to enable the upper floors of the Tesco building to be re-used as council offices and the new home of the county archives.
John Chilver, the council’s cabinet member for accessible housing and resources, commented: “This is great news for the people of High Wycombe.
“As well as retaining a much-used supermarket, they also benefit from having an important cultural and historical treasure trove delivered directly to their doorstep in the form of the Buckinghamshire Archives.”
