Earlier this year, the Times reported that the chain was looking to “accelerate future store closures” when leases expire due to the tax increases revealed in October’s budget.
New Look is closing another high street store today before a further two are set to pull down their shutters in March.
The high street fashion retailer is closing its Porth branch in Rhondda Cynon Taf today. The confirmation came from a statement from the fashion chain which said local shoppers can shop online at the retailer’s website instead. The reason for the closure has not been confirmed by New Look. In the statement, they said: “We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.”
The closure will shortly be followed by a further two with New Look’s Team Valley Retail World branch in Gateshead going on on March 9. New Look confirmed the closure date in a post on Facebook, which read: “CLOSING DOWN SALE ALERT! It’s time for BIG savings at New Look Team Valley! We’re saying goodbye on March 9th, and everything must go! Tops for just £3! Dresses for only £5! Bottoms for £7! And SO MUCH MORE! Hurry in before it’s all gone! Don’t miss out on the biggest bargains of the year! Sale ends March 9th! See you there!”
The reason for the closure has not been confirmed. New Look has also confirmed its St Austell branch in Cornwall will close on Tuesday, March 4, with signs in store reading “It’s time to say goodbye.”
Last month, several New Look stores pulled their shutters down for good, with the first store in Carillon Court Shopping Centre in Loughborough going on January 21. The second in Essex closed a few days later, on January 24. The Wickford branch – which first opened in 2009 – closed after the landlord decided to reclaim the property.
The third closure of the year was the fashion retailer’s Bracknell store at Bracknell Peel Centre. The site pulled down the shutters on January 30. It is uncertain how many workers have been – and are set to be – affected by the moves. Overall, New Look employs around 8,000 staff nationwide.
Earlier this year, the Times reported that the chain was looking to “accelerate future store closures” when leases expire. The newspaper said this was due to the tax increases revealed in October’s budget. According to the report, around a quarter of its 364 UK stores – around 91 sites – could be at risk of closure. New Look did not confirm this report at the time.