B&M is closing one of its stores for good this weekend, though it isn't all bad news for shoppers.
The bargain retailer is pulling the plug on its Kiln Lane store in Reading for the final time this Saturday, August 19.
But all is not lost for locals as B&M is opening a brand new store just down the road at Brunel Retail Park.
And it's said to be "bigger and better" than the one shutting shop.
The new 22,000 square foot store which boasts a huge garden centre will open its doors to customers at 8am on Saturday, August 26.
The store manager at B&M Brunel previously said: "We wanted a bigger and better store for our customers, giving them even more big, branded products.
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"We hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store and garden centre, we're really excited to get the doors open very soon."
B&M also has plans to close its store at Glasgow Forge on Sunday, August 20 – but only temporarily.
It is shutting to allow for refurbishment and expansion works and will open on 8am Saturday, August 26.
The news comes after a flurry of B&M stores have closed their doors recently.
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There have been eight stores shutting since February this year:
- Bolton – May 24
- Widness – May 17
- Bishop Auckland – May 5
- Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Bristol – March 29
- Queens Drive Retail Park, Kilmarnock – March 26
- Boucher Road, Belfast – March 26
- Maesglas Retail Park, Newport, Wales – March 4
- Castlegate Shopping Centre, Stockton – Feb 25
It's not all doom and glory though because the discount chain has already opened a number of new stores in:
- Armagh – May 5
- Widnes Trade Park – May 24
- Fforestfach (Swansea) – May 26
- Jarrow – May 27
- Fazakerley – May 31
- Irvine, Scotland – August 12
On top of that, six more stores are going to open soon, with one opening up just this week.
It is also relocating several more of its stores across the UK:
- Southport (August 16)
- Glasgow (August 26) – relaunch
- Reading (Aug 28) – relocation
- Switch Island, Liverpool – (September 9) – relaunch
- Eastbourne (September 14)
- Stockton (September 14)
- Leven Garden Centre (September 20) – garden centre only
- Hinkley (September 23)
- Wigan (September 29)
- Newbury (October 7)
- Gateshead (October 28) – relaunch
B&M is not the only discounter that is expanding its number of stores.
Poundland has recently confirmed that it is opening 15 stores across the UK.
TK Maxx is also reportedly looking for new locations as part of expansion plans.
And Poundstretcher recently revealed plans to bring 50 new shops to the high street before the end of the year.
But, unfortunately, it isn't all good news for the high street.
Bargain retailer Wilko collapsed into administration last week putting 400 stores and 12,500 jobs at risk.
The headline for Wilko rivals to submit indicative bids to save the collapsed chain passed on Wednesday (August 16) evening.
Yet there's still hope for the beloved retailer after insiders told The Sun that this deadline isn't set in stone.
Sources noted that bids would still be considered if someone made an offer later this evening.
At the moment, administrator PwC hasn't yet confirmed how many bids, if any, have been submitted to rescue Wilko.
But sources said this morning that if there were several bids by the end of yesterday it would still take "a while" to process.
How can I save money at B&M?
While a closing down sale offers big discounts on already bargain prices, there are still ways to save at B&M's more than 600 stores that remain open.
The B&M barcode scanner app allows you to discover discounted items before the staff have even reduced them.
The scanner is located on the B&M Stores mobile app, which can be downloaded for free on your smartphone.
Shoppers can download it on the App Store or Google Play.
Once you've got the app, click on the "scan" button at the bottom of your homepage.
This will then bring up the camera on your smartphone, which you'll need to use to scan barcodes.
When you've found a product you want to scan, simply point your smartphone camera toward its barcode.
The app will then automatically bring up the item's price – this is when you'll know if it is reduced or not.
Bargain hunters say some items come up as £1, 50p or even 10p through the app.
Shoppers should also keep an eye out for products with a white reduction sticker on.
This means they will have a certain amount slashed off the price shown on the label.
Shop for products at the end of the season.
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Get friendly with staff too.
They'll be able to tell you when the sales will hit, or if there are bargains out the back – so you get the best bits.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
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