SHOPPERS have been left gutted after Next abruptly closed one of its branches for good.
Next has 461 stores across the UK, including its mainline branches and outlet stores.
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The fashion retailer opened its first store in 1982 and by 1994 it had 300 stores.
But now Next has announced it closed its Outlet store at Suffolk Retail Park in Ipswich on February 10.
Shoppers have taken to social media to share their sadness over the decision to close the shop, that some have described as “excellent”.
Writing on Google reviews, one shopper wrote: “Amazing bargains.
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“I got a winter jumper for £3! Friendly and courteous staff.”
One Facebook user said: “Oh my god I love going in there!”
Another wrote: “I’m so disappointed. I love shopping in there.”
A third cried: ” Just one of many, many, more to follow and go the same way.”
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While a fourth simply said: “Nooo!! Bloody hell.”
Next Outlets are not like normal Next stores.
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They feature a selection of outlet products, past season collections and clearance items at discounted prices you won’t find anywhere else.
It comes after Next confirmed plans to close 11 stores this year in a blow to shoppers.
Six of the stores are not expected to reach their target margins, while two are site redevelopments.
The remaining three are closing because an agreement couldn’t be reached with the site’s landlord.
Next closed its branch at the Crescent Link Retail Park in Derry, Northern Ireland on February 1.
Before that, Next’s site in Hatfield in Hertfordshire closed on January 13.
A number of high street retailers have disappeared, or will disappear, from high streets across Ipswich in recent months.
Poundland is pulling down the shutters on its site in the Sailmakers Shopping Centre.
Plus the East of England Co-op will shut its outlet at the Rosehill shopping centre in Ipswich on January 27.
More high street closures
Retailers have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year and more are on their way.
Several major brands have also collapsed, such as Wilko and Paperchase
Just this week, The Body Shop confirmed it has gone into administration putting 200 stores at risk of closure.
The Sun has put together a full list of The Body Shop stores in the UK that are at risk of being lost forever.
But there is a glimmer of hope as official figures revealed that shops have bounced back from a record poor performance in December.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that retail sales volumes, which also include online retailers, rose 3.4% during January, up from a fall of 3.3% in December.
It was the fastest rise since April 2021, the month when non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen following the third national lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic.
Several big-name chains are pulling down the shutters for the final time this month.
WhSmith in Oban, Scotland, will close for good on February 17.
While Boots has revealed it is closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
