A MAJOR retailer with 89 stores is closing seven branches starting in days.
Jeweller Beaverbrooks is preparing to bring the shutters down on a number of its locations this month and next.
[iframe src=”https%3A%2F%2Fdatawrapper.dwcdn.net%2Fbnyg2%2F1%2F” height=”736″ width=”100″ /]The Sun previously revealed Beaverbrooks’ plans to close seven branches deemed “no longer commercially viable”.
In England, five stores will be shutting their doors in Birmingham Fort, High Wycombe, Huddersfield, Croydon, and Sutton Coldfield.
Meanwhile, two Scottish branches are also set to close, located in East Kilbride and Dundee.
The East Kilbride branch will close on March 16, followed by the Dundee branch on March 16.
The Birmingham Fort store will shut its doors on March 23, alongside the High Wycombe branch, which is scheduled to close on the same day.
The Huddersfield store is set to close on April 5.
Finally, the Croydon and Sutton Coldfield branches will both close on April 6.
When the closures were initially announced, Anna Blackburn, managing director of the jewellery chain, stated that the decision to shut the sites was made following a review of business performance.
She added: “At Beaverbrooks we pride ourselves on our people-first culture and open, honest relationships with our colleagues.
“Our directors delivered the news in person to each team member.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Why are shops closing stores? ” 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=”6353582364112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“We aim to retain as many colleagues as possible within other Beaverbrooks stores or the wider business, and are working closely with each individual affected to provide them with options for their specific needs, supporting them with their next steps whatever they may be.”
The seven impending closures follow the shutdown of a Beaverbrooks store in Romford, London, last March.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D108949%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]Despite the closures, Beaverbrooks is set to open a new store in Harrogate this spring.
Retailers often close branches and open them in other areas based on customer demand and trends.
Other shops leaving the high street
Beales, one of Britain’s oldest department stores, has launched a closing down sale before it shuts its last remaining shop after more than 140 years.
The company will shut its branch in Poole’s Dolphin Centre on May 31.
The sale includes fashion, furniture, gifts and cosmetics, being sold for up to 70% off.
Beales chief executive Tony Brown blamed the “devastating impact” of the rise in national insurance contributions and the higher minimum wage for the store closure.
Meanwhile, high street fashion chain New Look has begun to close stores as it scales back its UK footprint.
It is understood to be shutting nearly 100 stores – equivalent to around a quarter of its 364 shops.
Stores in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, St Austell, Cornwall and Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf have launched closing down sales.
Reports suggest that the company has been forced to accelerate the pace of store closures due to tax changes in the Autumn Budget.
Meanwhile, Huttons in London will shut its store in the Putney Exchange due to excessive energy costs.
The gift shop became a local icon after it opened in the 1990s.