Clarks is pulling down the shutters on its branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, on Monday, June 3.

1

The store in the town’s high street will close for good this summer with the staff undergoing “consultation”.

Families in the area wanting to buy new school shoes will now have to buy online or travel outside of Stroud. 

Those hunting specifically for Clarks will have to travel at least 20 minutes to the nearby towns to find the closest locations for the retailer.

It was reported that the Clarks branch was due to shut on June 10, but the closing date has changed, according to Stroud News and Journal.

Tony Davey, chair of the Stroud Chamber of Trade and Commerce, previously said the news was “very sad” and “will leave a gap to fill in the town”.

A Clarks spokesperson previously said: “We have a strong duty of care to all our employees, and we are working closely with the store teams as they go through a period of consultation. 

“We thank them all for their dedication in serving our customers over the years.

“We’d like to thank our loyal customers who have shopped with us at our store in Stroud. 

“We’ll be delighted to continue to serve them with our full range of products online and at our nearby Clarks stores in Cheltenham and Cirencester, as well as at our outlet store at the Gloucester Quays.“

Shoppers were quick to weigh in with their opinions on social media after the announcement.

One wrote on Facebook: “This is so sad! Always got my child’s shoes from here.”

Another commented: “This is such a shame there are not going to be any shoe shops in Stroud or clothes shops.”

A third said: “And another useful business bites the dust.”

Meanwhile a Facebook user wrote: “So many shop and business closing in this area. I see it every time I walk around here. So sad for what is left.”

It’s the second footwear store Stroud residents have lost after Shoezone also closed its branch in the town on April 19.

The sad news come after Clarks shut down its location on Marlborough’s High Street on April 22, leaving locals without a dedicated shoe shop in the area.

The high street giant was founded in 1825 and operated across 1,400 stores and franchises internationally at its peak.

But as of July 2023, the brand had just 320 UK stores – with plenty more having shut since then.

All is not lost for shoppers though, as the retailer has also relocated and opened new shops.

The brand opened a new store on East Street in Taunton in April 2023 following the closure of its original high street store.

Clarks also opened up a new store in Newcastle’s Eldon Square shopping centre on May 14 last year.

Which other stores have we lost recently?

We have seen several big losses in the last 12 months including popular discounter Wilko and stationary brand Paperchase.

More recently, health and beauty chain The Body Shop fell into administration and announced the closure of many of its 200 stores.

Almost 500 staff are set to lose their jobs after 75 stores were earmarked for closure.

Plus, Ted Baker fell into administration in March 2024 too, with 15 stores having shut by April 19.

Other retailers such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan have been slimming down the number of stores they have on the high street.

Just this spring Boots is closing a total of nine sites, as part of its wider plans to get rid of 300 locations.

These closures will see the retailer’s total shops reduced from 2,200 to 1,900.

This has upset a lot of locals in the affected towns, however, the health and beauty chain has said where stores are closing there is an alternative shop less than three miles away.

Last year Argos started to put in place its plans to reduce the number of standalone stores and focus on opening more locations inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

It closed 42 UK shops, including all 34 of its branches in the Republic of Ireland last June.

Retailers closing stores in 2024

RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.

High energy costs are a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.

While some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.

Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.

We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:

• 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, with two stores closing this year due to leases not being renewed. It has plans to open more in 2024 too.
• 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.