UK shopping centre makes 'sad' closing down announcement - 'we tried our hardest'

Bonmarche, a retailer at Birchwood Shopping Centre in Warrington, Cheshire, has confirmed it will be closing its doors for good. Its management described the decision as "extremely sad" and said the team "tried our absolute hardest" to stay open. The shop's owners have blamed the closure on an inability to reach new lease terms with the centre's management, meaning they're unable to continue trading at the site.

The announcement has disappointed local customers, many of whom have taken to social media to share their sadness at losing another high-street outlet from the Birchwood centre. The closure follows increased financial pressure on physical retailers and ongoing challenges in negotiating affordable rent deals in shopping hubs across the UK.

A social media post by Birchwood Shopping Centre reads: "Sadly, Bonmarche have decided to leave us.

"We tried our hardest to keep them but to no avail and we will all be extremely sad to see them go."

Staff and supporters have expressed gratitude for community support over the years, with some thanking loyal shoppers in a final message as they prepare to wind down operations.

A shopper commented on Facebook: "Gutted, it's a lovely shop, got lots from there and the staff are so lovely, feel sorry for them, going to miss it. Shame on the council for not letting it stay, just pure greed on their part."

Another said: "Again? I don't use it much, but the swimwear is good from there. It's a shame that another shop is closing."

Bonmarche is a British women's fashion retailer founded in 1982 and headquartered in Wakefield, England. It specialises in affordable, stylish clothing and accessories, particularly catering to mature women and those who want a broad range of sizes.

Bonmarche opened inside Birchwood Shopping Centre back in April 2023. It offers women's clothing at "unbeatable prices". However, the doors will close at Birchwood store on March 25.

Since 2015, Warrington has lost more than 450 shops. Last year, it ranked as the fifth-worst town for high street closures, according to research from barcodestore.co.uk.