Latest news with #OriginalFactoryShop
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
The Original Factory Shop launches huge 70% off closing down sales ahead of shutting NINE stores in days
THE Original Factory Shop has launched a huge closing down sale ahead of the brand shutting nine of its stores within days. One of the discount department stores due to close in Pembrokeshire has slashed prices on everything by a whopping 70%. 1 The Original Factory Shop in Milford Haven is set to shut up shop next week. Branch Store Manager, Mandy Salter, announced the massive sale on Facebook on Thursday, June 19. She said: "The Original Factory Shop, Milford Haven, now has 70% off across everything in store. "Only 7 days left to trade as closing our doors on 26th June for the final time." Over June, nine stores will be closing it total, including sites in Dorset and Durham. The Sun reported on the Cupar site closure earlier last week with huge discounts ahead of its closure in July. Another site in Middlewich is also set to close, but a date is yet to be confirmed while another site is due to close in July. You can see the full list of store closures here: Heswall, Merseyside - June 21 Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - June 26 Perth - June 28 Chester Le Street, County Durham - June 28 Arbroath, Angus - June 28 Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire - June 28 Pershore, Worcestershire - June 28 Normanton, West Yorkshire - June 28 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire - June 28 Shaftesbury, Dorset - June 28 Staveley, Cumbria - July 12 Cupar, Fife - July 27 Middlewich, Cheshire - TBC The Milford Haven site previously announced its closure in May with a post on the store's Facebook page. The announcement read: "With a heavy heart we regret to inform you that the rumours are true. "The Original Factory Shop Milford Haven has served you for 15 years and will be closing its doors for the final time on the 26th June." The post encouraged shoppers to pop in and grab a bargain and that they were "proud" of being part of the community. It added: "At this time we ask that you are considerate and respectful to our team as we are truly devastated." The death of the high street is the death of communities Shoppers flocked to the comments to express their sadness at losing the store. One commented: "So sorry to hear this, all the staff are absolutely wonderful. "A great loss to Milford Haven - now where do we shop for reasonably priced clothes and shoes?" Another simply said: "So, so sorry, love all the staff". Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been put up for sale. The Original Factory Shop has told The Sun that negotiations are ongoing with landlords - making it unclear whether these shops will remain open. What's happening to the Original Factory Shop? Private equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February and has since launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores. Modella is known for picking up struggling retailers, having also recently acquired Hobbycraft and WHSmith 's high street shops. It is set to rebrand all WHSmith high street stores to TGJones, and has brought in advisers to look at potential options for Hobbycraft. At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS. Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business. They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords. TOFS previously told The Press and Journal that a "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the restructuring. It said at the time: "Closing stores is always a tough decision and we are committed to keeping as many stores open as possible. "This is, however, dependent on successful negotiations with landlords as we strive to build a sustainable and successful business for the future." The Original Factory shop has already shuttered more than a dozen stores over the past 12 months. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Huge closing down sales launched at nine Hobbycraft stores shutting in DAYS as part of huge restructuring
HUGE closing down sales have been launched at nine Hobbycraft stores across the UK. The stores are set to close this Saturday, June 21, with the retailers looking to shift as much stock as possible before they shutter for good. 1 Shoppers have a chance to grab arts and storage supplies that have been slashed in price by up to 70%. Sites across Bristol, Dunstable, Borehamwood and Basildon are all set to close on June 21. A further two sites in Essex and stores across Gloucestershire and Kent are set to shut on this date. News has come as a blow to locals, including one Essex local who said "Why are all the good shops going?" Another said the store would be missed and they needed to find another "rainy-day activity". Modella Capital The retail investor bought WHSmith earlier this year and also acquired The Original Factory Shop. At the time, bosses said the shake up would help secure the future of 99 stores and around 1,800 jobs. You can check out the full list of stores earmarked for closure below. Canterbury, Kent - closing June 21 Basildon, Essex - June 21 Borehamwood, Hertfordshire - June 21 Bristol, Imperial Retail Park - June 21 Dunstable, Bedfordshire - June 21 Epping Forest, Essex - June 21 Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex - June 21 Cirencester, Gloucestershire -June 21 Bagshot, Surrey - June 21 Popular retailer to RETURN 13 years after collapsing into administration and shutting 236 stores The upcoming closures are set to impact around 72 and 126 jobs. Hobbycraft is not the only retailer reducing its store estate. Up to 11 Original Factory Shops stores are to set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria. Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been put up for sale. It comes as part of a major restructuring also carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss-making stores having to close as result. MORE RETAIL CLOSURES Poundland will close up to 68 stores following its £1 sale to US investors Gordon Brothers. As part of the move, its frozen and digital distribution site at Darton, South Yorks, will close this year. Another warehouse at Springvale in Bilston, West Mids, will also shut in early 2026. Around 1,000 shop staff and 350 warehouse workers in the UK will be affected by the restructure, but none in Ireland. Since last March, the budget chain has closed 14 stores, with a nother three set to shutter in the coming weeks. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
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Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
UK discount chain shutting shops as Summer closures begin
Shoppers are snapping up big bargains as the retailer clears stock Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Original Factory Shop is closing several branches this month, with more expected later 'Closing down' sales are already underway at affected stores, with major discounts across items Locations confirmed for closure include sites in Pembrokeshire, Worcestershire, and Cumbria Affected branches are offering up to 30% off clothing, footwear, toys, and household goods The closures are part of a wider restructuring plan to cut losses and renegotiate rents Several branches of a major discount department store chain are set to shut their doors this month, with more closures expected later in the summer. Shoppers have already spotted "closing down" sales at some Original Factory Shop locations, where stock is being sold off at heavily discounted prices. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Photos of the sales have been shared on Facebook, with one post noting: 'Up to 11 TOFS stores are set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria.' (Photo: David Potter/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images) | Getty Images A spokesperson for the retailer told The Press and Journal: 'The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) recently confirmed that, as part of a restructuring, a number of its loss-making stores will have to close. "Closing stores is always a tough decision and we are committed to keeping as many stores open as possible. This is, however, dependent on successful negotiations with landlords as we strive to build a sustainable and successful business for the future.' The full list of confirmed store closures: Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire – closing June 26 Perth – closing June 28 Chester Le Street, County Durham – closing June 28 Arbroath, Angus – closing June 28 Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire – closing June 28 Pershore, Worcestershire – closing June 28 Normanton, West Yorkshire – closing June 28 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire – closing June 28 Shaftesbury, Dorset – closing June 28 Staveley, Cumbria – closing July 12 Middlewich – TBC Heswall – TBC Stores currently listed for sale: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nairn Market Drayton Troon Blairgowrie Castle Douglas The discount department store has cut prices across the board, with everything from clothing and gardening tools to toys now reduced. Shoppers will find clothing rails marked with discounts of up to 30% off, while the entire footwear range — including trainers and heels — is heavily discounted. In the men's section, shelves are well-stocked with polo shirts, gym vests, and t-shirts. Household essentials and cleaning products are also included in the sale, with 10% knocked off their usual price. And if you've got a sweet tooth, there are plenty of confectionery bargains to be found throughout the store. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Budget retail chain to shut NINE stores this month as it launches string of closing down sales – is one going near you?
A BELOVED retail chain is shutting a whopping nine locations in a wave of closing down sales this month - and you could be living right next to one. The popular budget store has hundreds of sites across the UK - but news of the closures has sent shoppers flocking to the shutting branches for one last bargain. 2 The Original Factory Shop has slashed the prices on everything, from clothing to gardening tools to toys. Clothing rails have been slapped with signs offering discounts as the major retailer kicks off closing down sales. If you're after summer steals, the closing stores are bursting with bargains – from pretty dresses to handy garden gadgets. It comes as part of a major restructuring carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss making stores having to close as result. Over June nine of these stores will close, including sites in Dorest and Durham. Another site in Middlewich is also set to close however a date is yet to be confirmed. You can see the full list of store closures in June here: The following stores will close later on: Staveley, Cumbria - July 12 Middlewich - TBC Heswall - TBC Beloved high street chain with 24 Irish locations confirms Dublin city centre store closing down in 10 days in huge blow And these stores are also up for sale: Nairn Market Drayton Troon Blairgowrie Castle Douglas Private equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February. It has since launched a huge restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores. Modella is known for picking up struggling retailers. The firm recently acquired flailing Hobbycraft, and WHSmith 's high street shops. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020." It is set to rebrand all WHSmith high street stores to TGJones, and has brought in advisers to look at potential options for Hobbycraft. At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS. Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business. They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords. TOFS previously told The Press and Journal that a "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the restructuring. The Sun reached out to The Original Factory Shop for comment.
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
The Original Factory Shop launches closing down sale at another store – see full list of locations set to shut for good
THE Original Factory Shop has launched another closing-down sale as the brand pulls the shutters on another store. The discount department store has slashed the prices on everything, from clothing to gardening tools to toys. 3 Clothing rails have been tagged with percentage-off signs as high as 30 percent off. If you're looking for something stylish this summer, TOFS in Cupar, Scotland, is packed with pretty dresses, linen pieces, and jeans. There are also huge discounts across all footwear in the store - from trainers to heels. Over in the men's section, there is an abundance of polo shirts, gym vests, and t-shirts. It's worth stocking up on cleaning products and household essentials as they have a 10 percent reduction on the price. For those sweet-toothed shoppers, there are plenty of deals across all confectionery. Photos of the sale went on the Cupar store's Facebook with the caption: Up to 11 TOFS stores are already to set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria . Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been placed up for sale. The Original Factory Shop has told The Sun that negotiations are ongoing with landlords - making it unclear whether these shops will remain open. It comes as part of a major restructuring carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss making stores having to close as result. Over June nine of these stores will close, including sites in Dorest and Durham. Another site in Middlewich is also set to close however a date is yet to be confirmed. You can see the full list of store closures here: Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - June 26 Perth - June 28 Chester Le Street, County Durham - June 28 Arbroath, Angus - June 28 Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire - June 28 Pershore, Worcestershire - June 28 Normanton, West Yorkshire - June 28 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire - June 28 Shaftesbury, Dorset - June 28 Staveley, Cumbria - July 12 Middlewich - TBC Heswall - TBC The following stores are also up for sale: Nairn Market Drayton Troon Blairgowrie Castle Douglas Private equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February and has since launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores. Modella is known for picking up struggling retailers, having also recently acquired Hobbycraft and WHSmith 's high street shops. It is set to rebrand all WHSmith high street stores to TGJones, and has brought in advisers to look at potential options for Hobbycraft. At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS. Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business. They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords. TOFS previously told The Press and Journal that a "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the restructuring. 3 3
