SHOPPERS are furious after a high street discount shop closed its doors today.
The Poundland store at the Chineham Shopping Centre near Basingstoke will close its doors for the final time this evening.
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But the decision to cull the store has sparked fury in the community.
One shopper said: “Noooo! What the hell is happening we’re going to have no shops no choice nothing but coffee shops barbers and phone shops.”
A second said: “Sad to see it go as it saves a lot of people a wasted journey into town.”
Meanwhile, a third fuming shopper said: “We literally won’t have any shops left soon.”
A fourth added: “Will be sad to see it go.”
A spokesperson for the retailer confirmed it was unable to renew the lease on the branch.
But the retailer has since announced a further four will open, including in locations such as Liverpool, Falkirk and Cumbernauld.
The bargain chain is taking on a number of former Wilko sites as part of the expansion plans, after the retailer collapsed into administration earlier in August.
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Locations have already reopened under the Poundland name in Newcastle, Leicester and Leeds.
The closures have come as some of the biggest names on the UK high street struggle with challenging conditions.
It comes as 6,000 retail outlets have brought down the shutters since 2018, according to the British Retail Consortium.
The trade association said the closures are in part due to “crippling” business rates and the impact of Covid lockdowns.
Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
Boots has also been forced to close many of its outlets across the UK, sparking concern in some quarters.
The pharmacy chain has announced plans to cull stores across the UK as the health and beauty chain adjusts to challenging conditions on the high street.
But the decision to close nearly all of its Plymouth pharmacies has led to furious shoppers lashing out.
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Plymouth MP Luke Pollard hit out at the retailer, saying: “Boots are putting profits before people and it stinks.
“I want to see alternative providers take over these pharmacies if Boots insists on shutting them down.”
