A HIGH street outdoor retailer with 100 UK stores is to close one of its branches and shoppers have been left gutted.

Millets, known for its outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment, is pulling down the shutters on its store in Peach Street, Wokingham.

An exact date for the closure is set to be confirmed, but signs advertising a closing down sale have popped up in store, according to local news reports.

The signs read: "All stock must go. 30% off absolutely everything."

Shoppers have taken to social media to express their disappointment over the decision.

Writing on Facebook, one shopper said: "It won't be long before there are no shops other than coffee shops."

READ MORE IN MONEY

DON'T BANK ON IT

Full list of towns at risk of having NO banks after waves of closures

SHUTTERS DOWN

'Very bad news' as Boots to permanently shut more locations 'imminently'  

Another added: " So sad. It used to be such a thriving little town but it’s turning into a ghost town."

Whole a third wrote: "It’s such a shame."

The Sun has contacted Millets for comment and to confirm the exact date that the shop is to close.

It comes after the Millets stores in Inverness and Mansfield shut their doors after launching similar closing down sales.

Most read in Money

FESTIVE BREAK

Major department store to close all 34 locations for two days over Christmas

XMAS TIME

Supermarket slashes price of Roses tubs to just £2 – & it’s the cheapest around

CAUSING A STINK

We’re homeless after spending £500k to get our neighbour to move his BINS

SETTING THE ‘TONE

I tried flavoured panettones- the winner is the ‘perfect pick-me-up’

Millets isn't the only retailer closing stores as a number of others struggle financially.

In recent years shoppers have been increasingly turning to online shopping.

High inflation since 2022 has meant shoppers have less expendable money and are holding off from leisure purchases too.

This, combined with high energy costs, has led to a number of businesses closing stores.

Argos, Iceland and House of Fraser all closed a number of stores during the summer.

Meanwhile, some companies have gone bust entirely this year, including Cath Kidston and Paperchase.

But it's not all bad news – a number of retailers have been expanding.

B&M, Poundland and Primark are all opening stores within days.

The Original Factory Shop and bulk seller Costco are also opening branches in the coming weeks and months.

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.

Source: Read Full Article