A MAJOR book retailer with more than 300 branches has confirmed the closure of one of its beloved branches.

Waterstones in Bournemouth‘s Castlepoint Shopping Centre revealed via a display to shoppers that store would close on Sunday, July 7.

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But readers don’t need to panic as the shutdown is just temporary until the bookstore moves into its new location in the former Clintons card shop.

A new opening date has not been established yet, but customers should expect it to reopen in September.

Waterstones told the Bournemouth Echo in a statement: “Our store will be closing on Sunday, July 7, but don’t worry, we are incredibly excited to say that we will be moving to a new location in Castlepoint in September.

“We would like to thank you for your continued custom over the years.

“While we are away the team at Waterstones Bournemouth Arcade, or Ringwood are ready to welcome you for all your reading needs.

“We cannot wait to open the doors to our beautiful new store and welcome you all back.”

It is thought that Caffè Nero will also return to the new location.

Following the closure, the empty unit will be replaced by Mango in its first Dorset store.

Shoppers reacted to the news on Facebook and expressed their love for the store.

One user joked: “We love Waterstones, I think we’d live in it if we could.”

Another said : “Nero’s staff were so lovely and such a nice atmosphere in both the book shop and cafe.

“Will be glad to see them both back in the autumn.”

In May, the major book retailer confirmed it would close a “lovely” branch in a matter of days. 

Waterstones would be closing a store in Ashford in June much to the disappointment of locals. 

The branch located in County Square was set to close for good on Sunday, June 2. 

Kent Online reported that a sign had been put up in the store informing shoppers the store would soon shut its doors forever. 

It read: “The store will be closing permanently following trade on Sunday 2 June. 

“Thank you to all our lovely customers and we hope to see you again soon in Ashford.”

It is hoped that the branch will be able to find another site to open back up again.

A spokesperson told The Sun: “We confirm that Waterstones in Ashford will close next week.”Disappointingly, the landlord decided not to renew our lease but to relet to a different occupier, and we are now actively looking for suitable new premises in town.

“Our staff will be temporarily relocated to nearby Waterstones shops, and we hope to welcome our Ashford customers to our bookshops in Canterbury, Maidstone, Folkestone or Tenterden in the meantime.”