Discount craft retailer axes another high street store
The Works has been a popular retailer with Britons across the country, many of whom benefit from a store in their local shopping centre or high street.
Despite its long-standing reputation as a one-stop-shop for all things books, stationery and craft materials, the brand is reducing its store portfolio.
Tomorrow, the discount chain in Dereham, Norfolk will close its doors for good.
The Nelson Place branch has been forced to cease trading after it failed to agree terms to renew its lease.
It’s one of nine shops operated by the brand in Norfolk, with the closest alternative located 11.8 miles away in Swaffham.
Since making its debut as a discount bookstore in 1981, The Works has expanded across the country, until a recent spate of closures.
Earlier this year, The Works in Penrith, Cumbria shut down. This followed the loss of four stores in Hitchin, Coulby Newham, Bridgend and Croydon in 2023.
Jeremy Smith, property director at The Works previously credited the changes to “ongoing management” of its portfolio.
But it’s not all bad news for Britons who shop with the discount brand.
The chain previously confirmed plans to open more stores this year.
Back in January, it discounts large volumes of stock as part of a huge sale to make way for “new and exciting stock” across its expanding portfolio of branches.
Sharing details of its expansion online, the brand claimed that it has opened 14 new stores, closed 13 stores, relocated three others and refitted 34 existing stores as part of its ‘better, not just bigger strategy’.
A statement read that it was committed to: “Continue to improve the store experience for customers by enhancing layouts, optimising the space utilisation across categories, and introducing clearer navigation and signage, supported by the evolved brand.”
The Works isn’t the only brand closing a store this month. It comes as part of a busy wave of retail action by the likes of Marks and Spencer, Costa Coffee, and WHSmith.
On Sunday, WHSmith will lose two of its 1,400 branches by closing a site in Slough, Berkshire and Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.