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.”
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:
Meanwhile, Lidl plans to close further branches across the UK this year.
These are located in:
Plus, it’s looking to close its warehouse in Walsall within the next year.
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 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:
