‘Life’s cruel’ cry shoppers as bargain supermarket with 960 stores to close ‘marvellous’ branch in weeks
SHOPPERS are devasted after a popular discount supermarket chain with 960 stores confirmed it’s closing their “marvellous” branch for good.
Lidl has announced that its store in Barnstaple will close for the final time in June.
The Barnstaple branch has served locals in the area for almost 25 years.
Residents have also been shopping at two other branches in the town where staff will be redeployed where possible, according to Lidl.
A spokesperson for the German-owned retailer said: “We can confirm that the lease of our store on Station Rd is coming to an end, and it has been proposed that the store, which first opened its doors almost a quarter of a century ago, will close at the end of June.
“However, residents can be assured that they will still be able to access our great value products at our newer, much larger Gratton Way store and also our store on Old Station Road, both of which are close by.”
The locals will miss the store greatly after one shopper called it a “good place to shop”.
“It is really well stocked with great products,” said another.
A third added: “Staff is absolutely marvellous.”
Which Lidl stores have closed in 2023 and 2024?
Lidl first closed and relocated a few shops in the spring of 2023.
A few closures were due to the poor condition of the buildings and bosses deeming them unfit for purpose, while others came after opening replacement stores elsewhere.
Any workers affected by the changes were offered roles at alternative locations.
The 2023 closures are as follows:
- Drayton Road, Mile Cross – April 30, 2023
- Sturry Road, Canterbury – May 28, 2023
- Forton Road, Gosport – May 28, 2023
- The Quadrant in Redditch town centre – summer 2023
- Barrhead, Glasgow – September 28, 2023
- Beckenham, Bromley – November 2023
Meanwhile, Lidl plans to close further branches across the UK this year.
These are located in:
- Paignton, Devon – February 4, 2024
- Kentish Town, London – February 11, 2024
- Bradford – February 29, 2024
- Layland, Lancashire – February 29, 2024
- Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees – February 29, 2024
- High Street, Hanham, Bristol – March 1, 2024
- Wells, Somerset (will reopen in February 2025 after a renovation) – March 30, 2024
Plus, it’s looking to close its warehouse in Walsall within the next year.
What is happening to the high street?
The pandemic was a tough blow as many stores had to close during lockdown.
Since then energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some remaining retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
The Body Shop is currently going through administration and announced plans to close half of its 198 stores with seven already closed.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
WHSmith told The Sun it has no plans to open anymore more high street stores as it wants to focus on the travel side of its business.
Major banks have also announced multiple branch closures.
Halifax is closing several branches this month and more are due to close later on in the year.
Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.
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.