A POPULAR high street retailer is shutting six stores next month – and it’s launched closing down sales at each of them.
Hobbycraft is closing the stores as part of a restructuring effort aimed at preventing the chain from collapsing.
Six stores are shutting for good next month and closing down sales have been launched[/caption]
Shoppers say they’ve spotted discounts between 20% and 50% off in stores[/caption]
The arts and crafts retailer has already shut 12 stores, so the further closures in September will take the total to 18.
The stores set to close next month are:
- Stafford
- Wigan
- Maidenhead
- King’s Lynn
- Chichester
- Crayford
Shoppers on Facebook have spotted closing down sales already happening at each of the stores.
The Wigan store reportedly has some stock reduced up to 50%.
Customers say the rest of the stores have sales of 20% off.
Hobbycraft currently has 110 stores across the UK.
The retailer launched a strategic review of its business in May to try to balance its books.
As part of the review, it closed nine loss-making stores in June.
Among the sites that closed were Bristol, Dunstable, Borehamwood and Basildon.
Hobbycraft said the restructuring plan would secure the future of at least 99 stores and 1,800 jobs.
Bosses have also been negotiating rents with landlords at a number of other branches.
Alex Wilson, Hobbycraft’s chief executive officer, said at the time: “Very sadly, the strength of our offering has not made us immune from the challenges faced by the retail sector in recent years.
“Closing stores is always a last resort and this has been an extremely difficult decision.
“Making these changes is sadly a necessary action to enable us to keep our doors open to crafters up and down the country.”
Locals and customers affected by the closures can find their nearest branch here by using Hobbycraft’s store locator.
Full list of Hobbycraft closures
Stores that have closed already:
- Bagshot
- Basildon
- Borehamwood
- Bristol Imperial
- Bromborough
- Canterbury
- Cirencester
- Dunstable
- Epping Forest
- Lakeside
- Southport
- Stratford Upon Avon
Stores closing next month:
- Stafford
- Wigan
- Maidenhead
- King’s Lynn
- Chichester
- Crayford
More high street closures
Soaring costs, lower footfall and a shift to online shopping have all hit the high street in recent years.
It’s led to a succession of retailers closing their stores or collapsing into administration.
Poundland, which was bought out by investment firm Pepco in June, is shutting 49 branches this month.
It has plans to shut a total of 68 by mid-October.
River Island also had plans to shut 33 branches approved by the High Court as it looks to balance its books.
Meanwhile The Original Factory Shop is closing branches next month as it goes through a restructuring.
Footasylum operated out of around 60 stores at the start of 2025, but has already shut several locations across the country since the start of the year.
GAME – which operates around 240 stores across the UK – has slashed the prices of some of its products by up to 20% across the closing outlets.
The retail giant announced the closure of six of its stores across the UK in August and September, including outlets in Eldon Square in Newcastle and at Galleries Shopping Centre in Bristol.
Plus, jewellery chain Claire’s has collapsed into administration and stopped its online orders for customers.