A MAJOR homeware retailer with 70 branches across the UK is shutting a store next week.
Lakeland is closing its branch in Castlepoint Shopping Centre, Bournemouth on January 25.
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The retailer has confirmed the closure in a statement on its website.
It reads: “We’re sorry to say that our Bournemouth store will be closing on 25th January.
“But we do hope that you’ll continue to shop with us either online, by phone or in one of our other stores nationwide.”
The announcement goes on to reassure customers that anything bought from the store will still be covered by its three-year guarantee.
Locals are disappointed to see the store go and have reacted to the closure on social media.
One person said: “I will miss it I love that branch of Lakeland.”
Another added: “That’s a shame love Lakeland. The staff are always friendly and extremely helpful.”
While a third commented: “Greedy landlords, they are killing the high streets as much as online shopping.”
The Sun has contacted Lakeland for comment.
The start of 2024 has already seen many retailers, restaurants and pubs pull the shutters down for the final time.
It is a tough time for everyone with rising bills and increasing rents making it impossible for some businesses to keep going.
This year retailers such as Boots have already closed branches, with other big names such as Co-op, Clintons and HMV set to follow in weeks.
It comes as figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed over 10,000 shops and almost 120,000 retail jobs were lost in 2023.
It is not only retail that is suffering the hospitality trade has lost some popular pubs and restaurants in shock closures this year.
An ex-masterchef finalist closed his restaurant immediately after Christmas when its monthly energy bill tripled to an eye-watering sum.
Also, celebrity chef Simon Rimmer announced that he had made the heartbreaking decision to close his restaurant after 33 years.
Local boozers have also been calling time as one popular pub in Sheppey announced that it would not be reopening leaving punters devastated.
The Aviator pub that is run by Sheperd Neame broke the news to customers in a Facebook post on January 1, saying how it had become “impossible to continue”.
In December another pub belonging to the chain closed its doors right before Christmas.
The Duke of Edinburgh pub in Barming also announced on Facebook it would be shutting and offered refunds to customers for its New Year’s Eve party.
We have the full list of retailers that are set to close stores for good in 2024.
What about openings?
Despite what seems like a lot of doom and gloom on the horizon for the high street, some retailers are looking to expand.
Popular discounter B&M is opening two stores in Porthmadog and Washington on January 18 and January 26 respectively.
Meanwhile supermarket giant Asda has said it is on track to open 1,000 more sites throughout the UK and Northern Ireland by March 2024 too.
Wilko also has plans to open more stores in January after pulling up the shutters on branches in Plymouth, Luton and Exeter.
Clothing retailer Peacocks is also set to open six new stores soon.
