Full list of high street retailers closing shops in December – including Dobbies and Ann Summers

3 months ago admin

A number of high street stores are still set to close down the shutters even though it's Christmas, with 11 set to be closed this month.

The British high street has struggled over the last few years, and many retailers have been forced to close stores. According to figures from the Centre for Retail Research, almost 10,500 shops closed for the final time last year. Three retailers, Dobbies, Ann Summers, and The Original Factory Shop, are planning to shut several sites across the UK over the next few weeks.

In the first half of 2024, a total of 6,945 shops belonging to multiple chains closed down for good in either the high street, shopping centres or retail parks, according to analysis from PwC. This is equivalent to 38 shoppes closing daily – up from 36 a day in 2023.

However, 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.

Full list of 59 cars to face £2,745 car tax hike next year – including Ford and Toyota

Dobbies issues major update on store closures as 12 branches to shut for good

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

The Original Factory Shop

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

The discount department store chain 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: