Lakeland is making preparations to shut down another store in the upcoming month. An employee at the Reading branch revealed to the Reading Chronicle that the store’s closure is scheduled for August 8.
According to reports, the store has initiated an extensive clearance sale, with prominent “closing soon” signs displayed in the windows.
The news has sparked reactions from shoppers on social media platforms. One individual expressed disappointment, stating, “I adore Lakeland products! It’s unfortunate that I now have to resort to online shopping for my preferred kitchen and homeware items.”
Another shopper lamented the changing landscape of Reading, commenting, “Reading used to be a bustling shopping hub that I enjoyed visiting, but it has significantly declined. There’s little left to entice visitors.”
A third shopper expressed sadness at the closure, mentioning, “I cherish that store. Soon, there will be nothing left… I prefer in-person shopping over online. It’s truly regrettable…”
A fourth individual shared that during a recent visit, the staff appeared disheartened as they faced redundancy.
This closure follows Lakeland’s recent shutdown of its Syon Park store in west London on June 6. Additionally, its Inverness store in the Eastgate Shopping Centre relocated to the Simpsons Garden Centre in March.
Originally founded as Lakeland Plastics in 1964 by Alan Rayner, who initially sold plastic bags from his garage in the Lake District, the company’s headquarters are in Windermere, Cumbria. Lakeland currently operates nearly 60 stores across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In a similar vein, Asda has announced intentions to close one of its stores, potentially affecting 50 jobs. The decision to shut down the Anchor Retail Park branch in Stepney Green is driven by commercial viability concerns.
Poundland has also disclosed plans to close 68 stores and two warehouses, putting over 1,300 jobs at risk, following its acquisition by investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1. The restructuring scheme includes rent reductions at various locations and requires High Court approval.
Owned by Pepco Group, Poundland operates around 800 stores in the UK, with approximately 16,000 employees. In the six months leading to March, Poundland reported a 6.5% revenue decrease to €985 million (£830 million) compared to the previous year.