A MAJOR discount retailer has closed a UK branch just eight months after it was opened leaving shoppers stunned.
Maxi Deals abruptly closed a store in Birmingham leaving locals confused.
1
Maxi Deals on Mill Lane, Bromsgrove, Birmingham quickly closed within the last few days.
Shoppers spotted signs in store windows last weekend on Saturday, January 27 which announced the store would be having a 20% off closing down sale, according to local reports.
Between 12 to 15 staff will be affected by the closure as well as the local community.
The Sun has reached out to Maxi Deals for a comment.
Read more on store closures
The store was less than eight months old opening early last year after Iceland closed its Mill Lane store.
The discount supermarket closed its doors and told shoppers to go to the Iceland Food Warehouse in Bromsgrove Retail Park.
Shoppers took to Facebook to share their dismay at hearing the news.
One user said: “Tells you a lot about the high street.”
Another said: “Crikey, I completely missed it.”
“Nothing left in town,” said someone else.
A fourth user said: “Bromsgrove such as shame it’s now no good for shopping on the high street.”
The discount retailer only has a dwindling 13 UK stores left in operation.
The reason for the closure is not known though locals suspect high rents may be a factor.
Several other retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.
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.
Troubled fashion brand Superdry has said it is looking at various “cost-saving options” after reports it is considering a major restructuring which could include store closures and job cuts.
Homebase closed a store last year leaving it with just 93 stores remaining since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.
Competitor Poundstretcher closed multiple stores last year but also opened new stores in closed Wilko stores.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
Banks have also announced multiple branch closures.
Barclays is to start pulling the shutters down on 14 sites in England, three in Wales and three in Scotland as soon as April.
Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
