A MAJOR fashion chain is shutting more stores after a string of closures.
New Look is pulling down the shutters on two further branches between now and the end of August.
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Its store in Fosse Park Shopping Centre, Leicester, is closing for good today.
A spokesperson said it was working with workers to offer them alternative roles in the business and was actively looking to open another store in Leicester.
Meanwhile, its branch in the Crossgates Shopping Centre, Leeds, is pulling down its shutters for the final time at the end of August.
We have approached New Look to confirm an exact date and will update this story when we have heard back.
The spokesperson added: “As part of the normal course of business, New Look occasionally closes stores, while also undertaking relocations and new site openings.
“While some sites have closed recently, we have opened a number of new stores this year and we remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country.”
New Look has already announced it is closing two stores within days.
Its branch in the White Rose Centre, Rhyl, Wales, is closing today while its store in the Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Bristol, is pulling down its shutters for the final time on August 9.
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The fashion retailer has already closed a number of other stores in 2023, including in:
- Birmingham, Fort Shopping Park – January 9
- Trowbridge – January 23
- Coventry – January 29
- Birmingham, Bullring – January 30
- Walthamstow, London – February 4
- Northampton – February 15
- Witham – May 18
- Teesside Retail Park – July 7
- Middlesbrough – July 8
Despite the raft of closures, it’s not all bad news for New Look.
In November 2022, it opened several shops across the UK and has plans to open more this year, although it is yet to make clear how many and where in the UK they’ll be.
It comes after the retailer closed dozens of stores across the UK five years ago.
In 2018, the fashion retailer sought approval from creditors to cut 1,600 staff and close more than 85 stores after poor performance and struggling to pay back loans.
In a statement, the company earmarked 60 out of its 593 stores for closure as well as a further six sub-letted sites.
The Company Voluntary Arrangement proposal also included a reduction in rental costs and revised lease terms across 393 stores.
It saw 980 of its 15,3000 UK workforce made redundant.
Later on in 2018, a further 25 stores were announced for closure.
What other retailers are closing stores?
Retailers have been struggling for years due to the surge in popularity of online shopping and reduced footfall during the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, high inflation means consumers have less money to spend on everyday essentials.
That, combined with increased energy and staffing costs, means many businesses are feeling the pinch.
Iceland supermarket is closing three branches between August and September.
It is closing its branch in Fife on August 12 while its Llanelli store in Wales is shutting on September 2.
Meanwhile, the chain’s supermarket in the Market Shopping Centre in Crewe is closing for good on September 16.
B&M’s store in Kiln Lane, Reading, will shut on August 19.
However, the retailer is opening a “bigger and better” store in Brunel Retail Park on August 26.
B&M is also temporarily closing its Glasgow Forge store on August 20.
The shop is shutting to allow for refurbishment and expansion works to complete.
Following this, the new store will open back up to customers at 8am on Saturday, August 26.
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