The Original Factory Shop to close store just 12 months after it opened
The Original Factory Shop is closing one of its stores this week
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One of the country’s most popular retailers with 180 stores is preparing to close one of its stores next week.
The Original Factory Shop has confirmed it will shut down its Taunton branch on April 6 after only 12 months of trading in a blow to the local economy.
The discount retailer opened in the town last March but has recently announced its pending closure on Facebook.
This particular store was located in Taunton’s Country Walk Shopping Centre with local residents shocked at the news of its closure.
In a statement, The Original Factory Shop in Taunton stated: “We are sorry to let you know our store will close its doors on April 6, 2024.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the local community and our store colleagues for their support throughout our time here in Taunton. We’d love to see you in the store one final time to say goodbye.”
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Taunton will see its The Original Factory Shop store shut down
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One Taunton resident asked on the Facebook page: “How come you are closing. You haven’t been here than long?”
Another customer shared a sad emoji and commented: “Oh no, it’s been wonderful having you in the County Walk. Very sad news.”
In response to the closure, The Original Factory Shop has launched a clearance sale of up to 50 per cent off.
Despite this blow to customers living in these areas, the retailer opened multiple stores in 2023 which offset the number of sites lost.These included:
- Kirkintilloch - opened August 24
- Stonehaven - opened August 31
- Blandford Forum - opened August 31
- Haddington - opened September 7
- Wetherby - opened September 7
- Nairn - opened September 14
- Ashbourne - opened September 14
- Castle Douglas - opened September 21
- Penrith - opened September 21
- Inverness - opened September 28
- Attleborough - opened September 28
- Ayr - opened October 5
- Ringwood - opened October 5
- Perth - opened October 12
- Lanark - opened October 19
- Peterhead - opened October 26.
Here is a full breakdown of the store closures from The Original Factory Shop which took place last year:
- Chepstow, Wales
- Mildenhall, Suffolk
- Bodmin, Cornwall
- Bideford, Devon
- Stourport-on Severn, Worcestershire.
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Britain's high streets have been hit by a wave of store closures PAOn top of these closures, The Original Factory Shop also closed its Harwich store in December last year.
A spokesperson for the brand said: "We regularly review the stores across our estate and unfortunately have taken the decision close our Harwich store. We are consulting with colleagues at the store and are working hard to support all of those affected.”
This comes amid a wave of store closures from popular retailers which has swept the UK’s high streets in recent years.
GB News has contacted The Original Factory Shop asking for comment.