A MAJOR coffee chain is shutting more locations in Tesco stores after a string of closures.
Harris and Hoole, owned by Caffè Nero, is pulling down the shutters on seven branches in May next year.
1
Sites in Shoreham, Sunbury and Havant will all say goodbye to customers for the final time within months.
Locations in Kensington, London, Brooklands, Hemel and Southend will also shut.
It is not clear when exactly in May the seven sites will close for good.
It comes after Harris and Hoole shut 19 branches on September 24 this year, including in Ashford, Guildford and Watford.
Read more in Retail
This is the full list of sites that pulled down their shutters:
- Aylesbury
- Ashford
- Addlestone
- Broadstairs
- Bar Hill
- Buckingham
- Burgess Hill
- Colchester
- Chichester Tesco
- Cheshunt
- Guildford Superstore
- Hatfield
- Horley
- Horsham
- Huntingdon
- New Malden
- Romford
- Tooley Street
- Watford
The Tesco branches are closing after the contract between the supermarket and Harris and Hoole expired.
Harris and Hoole said it will continue to open more standalone stores, but not in Tesco branches.
Most read in Money
Meanwhile, a number of existing standalone stores will remain open. These can be found in:
- Amersham
- Chichester South Street
- Crouch End
- East Sheen
- Farnham
- Fleet Street, London
- Guildford North Street
- Harpenden
- Henley
- Imperial Wharf, London
- Mortimer Street, London
- New Cavendish Street, London
- St Margaret’s, Twickenham, London
- Stansted Airport
- Twickenham
- Uxbridge
Harris and Hoole first launched in Tesco branches after an investment from the supermarket in 2012.
In 2016, it was sold to Caffè Nero and has operated under the franchise since.
The Harris and Hoole Tesco site closures will come as a blow to caffeine lovers as other chains shut sites.
Costa has closed more than half a dozen stores in 2023, including in Malvern, Nottingham and Wigan.
Caffè Nero also closed its store in Glasgow in September after its lease ended.
Which other retailers are closing stores?
It’s not just coffee chains struggling to keep stores open.
Retailers have been hit hard as consumers turn their backs on the high street and opt for online shopping instead.
According to The Centre for Retail Research, online shopping accounted for over 26% of the total UK market in 2022.
High inflation has squeezed consumers budgets too.
Combined with rising energy and wage costs for businesses, a number have been forced to close.
In January, Argos announced plans to close all its stores in the Republic of Ireland following a “thorough review” of its business and operations in the country.
Boots Pharmacy has announced plans to consolidate its portfolio from 2,200 branches to 1,900.
A number of retailers have fallen into administration in the last two years too, including Wilko, M&Co and Paperchase.
But it’s not all bad news as some have announced plans to open sites in recent months.
Read more on The Sun
KFC revealed to The Sun it would open a swathe of new branches across the UK between November this year and early 2024.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s is shaking up its portfolio, closing eight branches but opening 14 in the coming months.
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
