A DISCOUNT retailer with more than 500 stores around the nation has confirmed it is set to shut one of its stores.
The high-street brand sells a range of books, art, craft materials and stationary.
The Works will close its Margate High Street store with the nearest alternative more than an hour’s walk away.
Kent residents could opt to head to Westwood Cross Shopping Centre or Ramsgate Garden Centre.
A spokesperson for The Works said: “As part of ongoing plans to optimise our store portfolio, we will be closing our Margate store.
“We have loved being part of the local community and apologise for any inconvenience caused by this closure.
“Customers can continue to shop with us at our nearby stores at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre and Ramsgate Garden Centre.”
Locals took to social media to express their despair.
One commented: “No I love the works.”
Another said: “Be nothing left in the town soon.”
Rosetta Baker told KentOnline: “Oh no! I love going in there, all the girls are so wonderful.”
Kevin Solly added: “I can’t be the only one who’s fed up with all these shop closures, we want our high street back.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Car dealership abruptly closes after 60 years with customers’ vehicles trapped inside as they find note on door” 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=”6371281054112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]The Works claims to serve over 22.5 million people each year.
Selling products for all ages, the great value prices have often been a hit with bargain buyers.
It comes after five other branches closed earlier this year.
Three of the sites have already closed, with branches in Iver, Elgin, and Heighley Gate shutting down.
And two more stores were confirmed to close before the end of April, but the retailer kept tight-lipped about the locations.
These closures are part of business and normal practices where retailers may choose to close under performing sites.
The Works revealed its plans to also open around 60 new sites over the next five years.
A spokesperson for The Works said: “As part of ongoing plans to optimise our store portfolio, we will be closing our Margate store on Sunday 8th of June.
“We have loved being part of the local community and apologise for any inconvenience caused by this closure.
“Customers can continue to shop with us at our nearby stores at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre and Ramsgate Garden Centre, or online at theworks.co.uk.
“We constantly review our property portfolio to ensure we have the right mix of stores in the right locations to best serve our customers. This might mean closing stores, whilst also improving our stores with refits or relocations if a more favourable site becomes available, and we’re always on the lookout for new locations too.
“We have opened new stores in Cirencester and Edinburgh during the last two weeks and look forward to opening in Sale later this month.”
