‘This is getting ridiculous’ cry shoppers as bargain chain with over 500 branches to shut shop in weeks
A BARGAIN chain, which has over 500 sites, is set to close one of its shops within weeks.
The Works will be shutting its site in Penrith after pulling down the shutters on several other shops and opening others elsewhere.
The discount chain, sells value gifts, arts, crafts, toys, books and stationery.
It has confirmed that its shop in Penrith will shut its doors for the final time in mid-April, although no exact date has been given yet.
A spokesperson said: “We have loved being part of the local community and apologise for any inconvenience caused by this closure.
“Customers can continue to shop with us at our nearby stores in Carlisle and Kendal or online at theworks.co.uk.”
The Works also that the chain has been able to redeploy all team members to other stores.
Locals have reacted to the news of the closure on social media.
One said: “What a shame. Sad to see high streets continuing to struggle.”
Another wrote: “One step nearer to a ghost town.”
A third commented: “Another one bites the dust.”
A fourth posted: “Gosh just shut the lot down! There be nothing left in Penrith soon!”
While a fifth said: “This is getting ridiculous.”
And another wrote: “There’s going to be nowt [sic] left.”
“Penrith is a ghost town, nothing here,” one shopper commented.
You can find your nearest The Works using the locator tool on the website.
The news comes after the chain shut several shops last year.
The Hitchin town centre store shut its doors for the final time on August 25.
The brand recently also shut its branch in Coulby Newham on July 6.
Plus, it’s closed stores on the high streets in Bridgend and Croydon.
Jeremy Smith, property director at The Works, previously said the closures are part of an “ongoing management” of its portfolio.
Meanwhile, it’s opened four relocated stores in Wolverhampton, Llanelli, Grimsby and Crewer and is now also welcoming shoppers to new stores in Inverness, West Durrington and Beckton.
The chain also plans to open eight new stores in the coming months.
Elsewhere, The Works reassured shoppers after the high street chain confirmed it wasn’t closing all stores.
It comes after it had been promoting huge January sales and shoppers feared it meant the retailer would soon be gone.
A spokesperson from The Works told The Sun: “Don’t worry, we’re not closing any stores. We’re simply running our biggest-ever clearance sale to make way for new and exciting stock that’s coming soon.
“Shoppers can enjoy great savings on a wide range of art and craft supplies, books, stationery and more, throughout the festive period and into 2024 at all of our stores nationwide and online at TheWorks.co.uk.”
The high street has been in turmoil over the past year.
Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
Homebase closed a store last year leaving it with just 93 stores remaining since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.
Poundstretcher closed multiple stores last year but also opened new stores in closed Wilko stores.
Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.
Superdry is said to be considering a “radical” restructuring including job losses after reporting poor Christmas sales.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
Meanwhile, a major fast-food outlet with 1,000 restaurants is shutting one of its branches for good.
Plus, a bargain retailer has confirmed the sites in Stockton-on-Tees will shut next month.
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