‘It’s SO depressing’ grumble shoppers as major high street jewellery chain with 300 stores abruptly closes branch

THE abrupt closure of a major jewellery chain branch has left shoppers grumbling “It’s so depressing.”

The chain has more than 300 stores across the UK and is a favourite spot for teens to buy accessories.

Following several closures Claire’s has now shut its doors at its branch in Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, Gillingham, Kent.

The closure is believed to have happened on February 19 and comes after in 2022 the branch at Chatham’s Pentagon Centre also closed.

A Canterbury location also closed its doors just months ago.

Local’s have expressed their sadness at the news.

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There is now one remaining location in Kent located in Medway at Chatham Dockside.

A spokesperson for Hempstead Valley said: “We can confirm Claire’s lease has recently come to an end and the store has now permanently closed.”

Elsewhere, Claire’s branches remain in Ashford, Dartford, Maidstone, Folkestone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Thanet.

It comes as a major outdoor retailer will shut one of its branches for the last time as more iconic shops continue to disappear across the UK.

Regatta announced in late January that it would close its store at Chatham’s Dockside Outlet Centre, Kent.

For weeks the infamous “Closing Down Sale” signs could be seen on the shop front windows.

A spokesperson for the retailer told The Sun: “Regatta did not take the decision to close the store at Chatham’s Dockside Outlet Centre lightly.

“The closure comes following challenging footfall in the centre and to coincide with the store lease coming to an end.”

Shoppers and residents are gutted at the news of another store closing down and took to Facebook to voice their disappointment.