Clarks confirms date 'superb' branch will close its doors for good - customers have just weeks left to shop
Clarks stores will close this year
PA
Clarks has confirmed the closure of another branch within the next two weeks.
The high street footwear chain is closing the door on its branch in Fore Street, Bodmin.
A spokesperson at Clarks confirmed the store will be shutting on June 1, 2024.
The store closure will come as a blow to many shoppers who have seen it as a staple within their town for years.
Those on Google Reviews have raved about the store's staff and service, with one comment stating: "Superb service from the staff at the Bodmin store this afternoon, honest advice and nothing too much trouble."
The closure comes amid an ongoing rationalisation program by the retailer which has seen a number of stores across the country close.
Branches have already shut in 2023 PAHowever, a spokesperson for the company said it will continue to have a presence in other Cornish towns, with nearby stores in St Austell and Truro.
This is not the only store to be shutting their doors for good in the upcoming weeks.
The popular footwear chain was founded in 1825 and operated across over 1,400 stores and franchises internationally at its peak.
But as of July 2023, the brand had just 320 stores.
A spokesperson for Clarks said: “Clarks confirms the store at Fore Street, Bodmin will close at the beginning of June 2024.
“We’d like to thank our loyal customers who have shopped with us at the Bodmin store, and we’ll be delighted to continue to serve them with our full range of products online and at our nearby Clarks stores in St Austell and Truro.
“We sincerely thank all members of the store team for their contributions and commitment to providing outstanding customer service.”
Clarks is also pulling down the shutters on its branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, on June 10.
Shoppers in the town have been left devastated as those in search of shoes will now need to travel elsewhere to get them as rival brand Shoe Zone is also due to close.
Although the beloved high street store is set to close, the company has ensured they have a strong duty of care to all their employees. They are working closely with the store team as they go through a “period of consultation”.
This year, Clarks has closed or announced it's shutting the following stores:
- Grove Shopping Centre, Witham - January 13, 2024
- Saddlers Shopping Centre, Walsall - February 10, 2024
- East Grinstead - March 24, 2024
- Abingdon, Oxfordshire - April 22, 2024
- Marlborough High Street - April 22, 2024
- Maidenhead - June 2024
A number of Clarks store already closed down in 2022 and 2023. This includes:
- Kent in Ashford - end of 2022
- Gillingham, end of 2022
- Murraygate, Dundee - July 25, 2023
- Fareham shopping centre, Hampshire - August 5, 2023
- High Street, Inverness - end of September, 2023
- Grimsby - end of October, 2023
- Newport Retail Park - November, 2023
- Riverside Shopping Centre, Norwich - November, 2023
- Westwood Cross Shopping - mid November, 2023
- High Street, Newcastle - by end of 2023
- Bicester Village, Oxfordshire - December 31, 2023
- The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland - date unknown