A HUGE bargain chain with over 100 shops has shuttered one of its locations.
YMCA is the oldest youth charity in the world and it has over 100 charity stores in England and Wales.
The shops sell everything from clothing, including high street and retro, accessories, books, electrical goods and furniture.
But shoppers in Gloucester will soon have to find a new bargain chain to visit as the site on Northgate Street shut up shop on March 15.
Local customer Carley Loade despaired the shuttering was a “massive blow” to the local community and had worked wonders for her mental health.
“I get to have conversations and do something helpful and useful,” she told the BBC.
“Once the shop is all packed up I’ll be sat at home alone.
“We have lots of customer support and do have a lot of regulars.
“We also have people who treat us as a safe space and a community.
“They may only spend a pound, but they have somewhere warm to wander around.
“We’re definitely going to be missed.”
The Sun Online has approached the YMCA for comment.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Beloved chef to close restaurant for heartbreaking reason” 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=”6369483466112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]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.