A MAJOR discount shoe retailer has closed down one of its high street stores for good.
Shoe Zone has brought the shutters down for the final time on its Watford High Street branch.
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The discount chain has around 323 stores around the UK and is popular for its low-cost footwear.
Local news outlet the Watford Observer reports that the store had its final day of trading on January 5 and the remaining stock is being cleared by staff.
Shoppers have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the closure.
One said: “Ridiculous! they should have closed the branch in Asda, not this much more popular and accessible branch.”
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Another added: “Everything is turning down to dust, I am surprised it has been open so long it is always empty.”
While a third commented: “That shop has been shutting down for years.”
Other locals are hoping that another popular discounter will take over the unit.
One person said: “Yes we need Home Bargains in the high street not everyone wants these fancy eating and drinking places just some good old-fashioned shops.”
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Someone else agreed and urged others to email the retailer: “Please email Home Bargains, the more interest the more chance we will get one”, they said.
Shoe Zone has reported a rise in profits from £13.6million to £16.2million in the year to September 30, 2023.
The retailer reported its store revenue up from £129.8million to £134.8million and digital sales up from £26.4million to £30.9milllion.
It notched up the 3.9% rise in sales across its stores having overhauled its portfolio that saw it shut 72 sites, open 35 new shops and revamp 15 outlets.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of Shoe Zone said that “a strong peak summer and back-to-school trading in the second half of the year” had contributed to the positive results.
The Sun has approached Shoe Zone for comment on its Watford store closure.
The face of the high street has changed drastically since the coronavirus pandemic with shops vanishing almost weekly.
The cost of living crisis is taking its toll as customers are now thinking twice before spending their hard-earned cash.
More people are now shopping online which means there is not as much demand for retailers to have physical stores.
Also, the increased cost of fuel and expensive town centre parking is keeping shoppers away.
Last year the biggest shock of all came when popular discounter Wilko crashed into administration.
The company failed to find a buyer for the whole business and its stores vanished from the high street forever.
However, rival retailers including Poundland did buy up some of the ex-Wilko premises and The Range bought up the website and brand name.
Since then The Range has put Wilko back on the high street map with the opening of three new concept stores.
Popular stationary brand Paperchase also collapsed last year, leaving fans devastated.
Supermarket giant Tesco bought the rights to the brand so all was not lost for its loyal followers and it was back on the shelves for Christmas.
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The re-launch is branded as “Paperchase at Tesco” and is available to buy in 250 supermarkets, and also online.
Meanwhile, here is the full list of shops that left the high street forever in 2023.
