SHOPPERS have been left disappointed as a discount department store chain axes another branch.
The beloved The Original Factory Shop‘s store in Harwich has announced it is rolling down the shatters for good.
The retailer is popular for its wide range of bargain items from homeware to stationery.
A spokesperson said: “We regularly review the stores across our estate and unfortunately have taken the decision close our Harwich store.
“We are consulting with colleagues at the store and are working hard to support all of those affected.
“We’d like to thank all our customers for their support and look forward to welcoming them at any of our other four stores, which are all located within 20 miles.”
Shoppers took to Facebook to share their sadness about the closure.
One user said: “I was in this shop last week think the lady was saying it closes in April.”
Other shoppers said the move means they will have to travel to nab items at reduced prices.
Another added: “OMG when did that happen. What a shame. I’m in Manningtree and we have nothing here. I always have to travel.”
A third penned: “Oh it’s just a shame that shops are disappearing, I love the factory shop too.”
A fourth slammed: “Online is killing the shops but it ultimately comes down to the price of things.”
The retailer has been running since 1969 and has around 190 stores across the UK.
But this is not the only branch biting the dust this year.
The Original Factory Shop has already pulled the shutters down on three stores in:
The chain previously closed two stores back in May this year too.
Stores shut in Bideford, Devon, on May 19 and in Stourport at the end of May.
However, the chain also opened more than a dozen new department stores between August and October last year.
New shops have opened in the following locations:
Retailers have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting spending due to the 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.
The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year and more are on their way.
Several major brands have also collapsed, such as Wilko and Paperchase.
Just this week, The Body Shop confirmed it has gone into administration putting 200 stores at risk of closure.
The Sun has compiled a full list of The Body Shop stores in the UK that are at risk of being lost forever.
But there is a glimmer of hope as official figures revealed that shops have returned from a record poor performance in December.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that retail sales volumes, including online retailers, rose 3.4% during January, up from a fall of 3.3% in December.
It was the fastest rise since April 2021, the month when non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen following the third national lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic.
