SHOPPERS have shared their devastation after a beloved toy retailer has revealed it will close one of its branches in a matter of weeks.
The Entertainer, which has 160 branches across the UK, will permanently shutter its branch in Croydon’s Whitgift shopping centre.
A closing-down sale has already been launched with the retailer offering 25% off its products.
In a post shared on social media, locals expressed their sadness at the toy store’s departure.
One local said: “What a derelict place Croydon High Street has become.”
“Another one bites the dust,” said a second.
Paul Hardy, head of region at The Entertainer, confirmed to The Sun that the store would close for good on February 1.
He explained that the toy store has been asked to shutter due as a “requirement of the landlord” for the “proposed redevelopment of the Whitgift Shopping Centre”.
“We’re proud of the service we’ve offered and are committed to supporting our employees through this situation,” he added.
In 2013, retail giant Westfield and property developer Hammerson entered a joint venture for a £1.4billion redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre and the neighbouring Centrale shopping centre.
The project was aimed at transforming the site into a major shopping and leisure destination but faced a number of delays and financial hurdles.
In 2023, Westfield acquired the remaining 50% stake in the redevelopment from Hammerson.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”RETAIL MISERY” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”1807990984680607128″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]The retail group still has plans to transform the development and is running a public consultation this year ahead of submitting a planning application.
The closure will be another blow for Croydon locals who just waved goodbye to a Boots store which was located on 1 Central Parade in New Addington.
The popular pharmacy closed for good on December 7.
As for The Entertainer, its departure from the Croydon shopping centre will mark its second closure in a matter of months.
Before Christmas, it confirmed it would permanently close its outlet at the Cameron Toll shopping centre in Edinburgh on January 4.
OTHER SHOP CLOSURES
Plenty of other retailers are closing stores across the high street as households lean more towards online shopping and amid high business rates.
Soaring inflation in recent years has also dented shoppers’ pockets.
The Centre for Retail Research’s latest analysis suggests 13,479 stores, the equivalent of 37 each day, shut for good in 2024.
Of those, 11,341 were independent shops while 2,138 were shut by larger retailers.
The data also showed over half the stores that closed last year were shut due to the store or retailer going through insolvency proceedings.
This is when formal measures are taken to deal with tackling a business‘s debt.
Retailers are shutting stores in 2025 too.
The Body Shop is pulling down the shutters on five branches on January 15 in Exeter, Plymouth, Horsham, Norwich and Sheffield.
Three other branches have already closed in Cambridge and Hove.
Stationer WHSmith is closing a branch in Bournemouth on January 15 while Monki has announced plans to shut seven stores this year.
All in all, the Centre for Retail Research estimates more stores will close this year than last.
It predicts around 17,350 sites to close for good, made up of around 14,660 independent shops.