DISAPPOINTED Brits will not be able to shop in a “fantastic” store as the shutters will slam down for the final time TODAY.
Fan’s of the Leed’s based shop said they “couldn’t” believe it when they first heard the news – as reality sets in with yet another high-street store gone.
3
Loyal customers learnt that Matalan – which sits inside The Core Shopping Centre – would shut their doors on Feb 24 (today).
Sad shoppers jumped online to share their upset at having to wave goodbye to yet another high-street store.
The company did however remind customers that stocks will all still be available online – and will be striving to hold on to affected staff.
As reported on a local news site, a spokesperson for the firm said: “We are working closely with our affected colleagues and doing all we can to find suitable positions in our local store network.
Read more Money News
“Customers in the area will still be able to be able to access our full range of products via our website. We would like to thank all of our customers in the local community for shopping with us”.
The closure, however, is a stark-reminder of the public’s fear that high-street shopping is on its way out.
And when the news dropped, multiple locals made their feelings clear on the closure.
One posted: “There’s gonna be nothing left in town soon.”
Most read in Money
Another wrote: “[In] 15 to 20 years time there will be no high street.”
A third commented: “Use it or lose it, if the footfall can’t support it, it has to go, very sad but that’s where we are.”
The Body Shop to close seven stores immediately
A fourth said: “I can’t believe it. The Leeds I knew has already gone.”
The Matalan branch is one of eight that have recently closed, as stores in Leicester, Leytonstone and Renfrew have all closed up shop for good.
What’s making things even more worrying for residents is the news that the entire shopping centre it resided in will soon be demolished – meaning the remaining six stores left could also close-up.
As reported by LeedsLive, it will be flattened in part to make room for new swanky student accommodation – which has frustrated some locals.
Posting on Facebook, one user said: “More student accommodation, what about building social housing or housing to help the homeless and vulnerable.
And a second user replied: “How many student flats does Leeds need, it’s becoming ridiculous now.”
Troubling closures continue to fuel the flames of a complete transformation into a dystopian online-only shopping future – leaving Brits worried about employment, and losing the enjoyment of spending the day in their favourite stores.
And the worries seem to be well-informed, since other companies have announced closures this year as well.
Body shop, Iceland and Lidll have all announced closures this month and as the year progresses more shops will be saying goodbye to their customers.
Figures provided by the Centre for Retail Research revealed over 10,000 shops closed for the last time in just 2023, with almost 120,000 jobs lost.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Meanwhile, punters have been left disappointed after a beloved electrical firm announced that it will close one of its store for good.
Plus, Wetherspoons fans were saddened after a sudden closure saw their favourite pub pull down shutters earlier this month,
3
3
