Major retailer Hobbycraft has announced it will be closing more stores this month and in September.
Three stores in Southport, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Bromborough closed on August 4, 6, and 7, respectively and six more closures are set to come.
Alex Wilson, Hobbycraft's chief executive officer, said: “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.”
Leaders of Hobbycraft are reportedly negotiating rents with landlords at several other locations. These stores' locations haven't been revealed yet.
It follows the launch of Hobbycraft's strategic evaluation of the company in May, which looked at how to balance its books.
Nine stores that were losing money were shut down in June as part of this evaluation; the locations in Bristol, Dunstable, Borehamwood, and Basildon were among them.
According to Hobbycraft, at least 99 locations and 1,800 jobs will be protected as a result of the restructuring plan.
In a statement, a spokesman for Modella, Hobbycraft’s owner said: “Modella Capital is absolutely committed to bricks and mortar retail, at a time when the sector is coming under increasing pressure.
“[Modella] understands that high streets provide a vital service to consumers, are an essential source of employment and are key to the future success of local economies.
“Where necessary, Modella Capital has the skills and experience to restructure retailers that require it, in order to ensure they create profitable, ongoing businesses that will continue to serve communities and employ thousands of people across the UK.”
Here’s the list of nine branch closures, and their closure dates, in full:
Full list of Hobbycraft store closures
- Bromborough, August 4
- Stratford-upon-Avon, August 6
- Southport, August 7
- Wigan, early September
- Maidenhead, September
- Chichester, September
- Stafford, September
- Kings Lynn, September
- Crayford, September
