A TOWN centre department store has launched a huge closing down sale ahead of shutting up shop in weeks.
Home Store in Romford’s Market Place will pull the shutters down for the final time in weeks.
Signs have appeared in the shop, which was once home to Debenhams, announcing an “everything must go” closing down sale
According to The Romford Recorder, the store is set to shut its doors for the final time in “two to three weeks.”
Home Store took over the lease from the Aklu Plaza shopping centre in June 2024, transforming the site into its current form.
Prior to this, the building was home to Debenhams, which ceased trading there in May 2021.
However, customers have taken to social media to share their opinions, with many expressing that the store’s closure won’t be a significant loss.
Reacting to the news on Facebook, one shopper said: “The store is full of cheap tasteless tacky goods.”
Another shopper said: “Not surprised, full of overpriced tat!”
A third added: “It stinks.”
It is understood that the furniture shop located to the left of Home Store will remain open, as it operates under separate management.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Why are so many pubs and bars closing?” 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=”6352178578112″ 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.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D109233%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]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.