‘Another blow for town’ as UK’s ‘biggest outdoor store’ with nearly 100 locations to close branch after less than a year

ONE of the UK’s biggest outdoor stores has announced it will close a branch less than a year after it opened on the high street. 

Go Outdoors which has nearly 100 locations across the UK has confirmed it will close a store in North Staffordshire. 

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Go Outdoors is a go-to store for travellers and sports enthusiasts, the retail giant sells everything from camping gear to fishing gear. 

The Go Outdoors express store, which opened on Newcastle-under-Lyme High Street last year, is set to close its doors for good on April 6. 

Local media reports closing down sale signs went up last week announcing that all stock had been reduced by at least 30%. 

The town has been hit by several store closures already losing its WHSmith, Millets, Wilko and Clarks since the start of 2023.

Locals took to Facebook after hearing the news with many claiming it was devastating for the area. 

One user said: “This is not good news for Newcastle Town centre.”

“Need to have a gander,” said someone else. 

A third user claimed: “If it’s actually going then another major blow for the town.”

What is happening to the high street?

Several other retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.

Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.

This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

Troubled fashion brand Superdry has said it is looking at various “cost-saving options” after reports it is considering a major restructuring which could include store closures and job cuts.

Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.

Major banks have also announced multiple branch closures.

Barclays is to start pulling the shutters down on 14 sites in England, three in Wales and three in Scotland as soon as April.

Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.

But some shops are bucking the trend and opening new locations.

Primark said it will open five new branches, and one is coming in just weeks.

The Frasers Group has announced it will be taking over the former John Lewis site at Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough to open another new concept store.

B&M is opening six new locations at the start of 2024, including in former Wilko stores it has taken over.

WHSmith has said it intends to open 15 new stores across the UK but they won’t be on the high street.

Avon plans to open shops in the UK for the first time in its over 100-year history.

Costco is looking to open 14 new locations in the UK over the next two years, while Greggs will add up to 160 branches this year.

See the full list of shops opening on the high street in our round-up.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk