‘When will it end’ cry shoppers as high street jeweller with 100 locations closes ‘wonderful’ store for good

SHOPPERS have been left devastated after a high street jeweller with 100 locations announced it is closing another store.

Ernest Jones branches across the UK and has become a go-to shop for special occasions like engagements and anniversaries.

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The brand is owned by Signet Trading, which also operates brands such as H. Samuel and Diamonds Direct.

As of today, there are around 100 branches of the jeweller nationwide.

But now, Ernest Jones has announced that its store in Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport has closed for the final time.

A sign appeared on the door, which read: “This store has now closed.

“In the meantime, we’ll continue to help celebrate your story with the pieces that matter to you at your nearest store.”

The store no longer appears on the Ernest Jones store locator too and its Facebook page states that it is permanently closed.

Shoppers in Stockport will now have to head to Ernest Jones in the Manchester Arndale Centre, which is seven miles away.

The Sun has contacted the brand for comment.

Shoppers have taken to social media to share their disappointment over the store’s closure.

One Facebook user said: “Can’t really call it a shopping centre there is nothing there!!

“It’s gone from a thriving centre to one that’s getting full of rubbish – it is clothes shops that are needed.”

Another wrote: “Big shock. All the decent shops have gone. For what reason?!”

A third added: “Another one gone! When will it end??”

While a fourth said: “So sad, it was a wonderful shop! I feel for all the staff.”

It isn’t the first Ernest Jones branch to have closed in recent months.

The store in the Golden Square Shopping Centre in Warrington also shut its doors this month.

Plus, the shop in Queensgate shopping centre, Peterborough, closed in November.

Goldsmiths jewellers moved into the empty site, according to local news reports.

Goldsmiths has more than 90 showrooms across the country, including branches in Derby, Bristol, London and Crawley.

Retailers closing stores in 2024

RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.

High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

Here’s a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:

• Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
• B&Q – The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, so chances are you have one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
• Boots – The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer’s estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
• Clintons – Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We’ve listed the stores affected.
• Costa Coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We’ve revealed which stores are due to close this year.
• Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
• Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
• M&S – M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It’s not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops as well.
• Trespass – The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
• WHSmith – The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.

What else is happening on the high street?

Retailers have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic with shoppers cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.

High energy costs and a move to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking a toll and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year and more are on the way.

Several major brands have collapsed in 2023, including Wilko and Paperchase.

The Lidl news comes just weeks after The Body Shop tumbled into administration.

It then announced last week that it would be closing almost half of its 198 stores.

Seven branches shut with immediate effect including sites in Surrey Quays and Oxford Street, London.

In early February, Hobbycraft’s owner, Bridgepoint, was reported to be exploring “strategic options” for the business.

These options could include putting the retailer up for auction.

In January, struggling fashion brand Superdry said it was looking at various “cost-saving options” after reports it is considering a major restructuring which could include store closures and job cuts.

It was working with advisers at PwC on a plan which could lead to a CVA or another form of restructuring.

Such a move could result in store closures and potentially force rent reductions with landlords.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk