A MAJOR discount retailer has unexpectedly closed one of its stores and shoppers are furious.
OneBelow in Will Brook shopping centre, Bradley Stoke closed today January 14.
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The budget retail chain launched just four years ago and currently has 107 stores nationwide and is owned by Poundworld founder Chris Edwards.
The retailer changed its name in 2022 from OneBelow to One Beyond.
Notices appeared in the store’s windows earlier this week announcing the store was having a closing-down sale, according to local media.
The sign said: “Store closing down sale. Last day – Sunday 14, up to 50% off everything must go.”
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The store was situated on the retail terrace and only opened in September 2019.
Before this, the OneBelow unit had been occupied by Poundworld for six years.
Shoppers took to Facebook after hearing the news and the general reaction was a mixture of frustration and shock.
One user said: “OH NO!!”
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Another said: “Gutted..!! Was a lovely store. Great, cheap items. Bought loads just before and after Christmas and had lovely, helpful staff. Such a shame all these types of shops keep going..!!”
“Absolutely disgusting what’s happened to the staff,” ranted a third user.
A fourth user said: “Such a shame, I shop there a lot for odds n ends.”
It is rumoured the discount food retailer Lidl plans to take over the now vacant space.
However, the Willow Brook Centre will need to obtain planning permission to extend the retail terrace for this to happen.
Many high street retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.
Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
Homebase closed a store last year leaving it with just 93 stores remaining since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.
Poundstretcher closed multiple stores last year but also opened new stores in closed Wilko stores.
Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.
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