Jones the Furnishers, a beloved independent furniture shop on Kettering Road in Northampton, will shut its doors at the end of August after nearly a century of trading. The closure is part of a wave of high street store closures affecting both big brands and small businesses, including Radley, House of Fraser, and Vue.
Iconic Brands Closing Stores
On Thursday, Birmingham's flagship House of Fraser closed its doors for the final time, just months after the department store closed its Plymouth branch. On the same day, Cardiff's Vue screened its final film, having been a fixture of the city centre for over two decades. Earlier in the month, the cinema chain had announced that the closure was imminent.
A statement from Vue said: "We can confirm that our site at Stadium Plaza will be closing later this month. We are consulting with our Cardiff colleagues, who are our priority, and until this point, we will continue to provide cinemagoers in Cardiff the very best big screen experience." The cinema screened its final film on June 25, with listings subsequently removed from the website, where a notice now states: "The credits may be rolling in Cardiff but Vue is still open in Cwmbran, Merthyr and Swansea."
Radley to Close All 21 Stores
Once iconic handbag brand Radley has confirmed that it is moving forward with closing all of its stores, amid reports that the brand owes millions to suppliers. Despite being bought out of administration by Gordon Brothers of Poundland, Radley will soon shut the doors on its 21 brick-and-mortar stores for good. The full list of Radley stores set to close includes Covent Garden, Glasgow, Ashford, Banbridge, Braintree, Bridgend, Cannock, Castleford, Cheshire Oaks, Cotswolds, Dalton Park, Doncaster, Gretna, Gunwharf Quays, Livingston, Mansfield, O2 London, Springfield, Somerset, and York.
Jones the Furnishers: A Century of Service
Alan Evans, managing director of Jones the Furnishers, said: "It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of Jones the Furnishers. We are incredibly proud of what has been built over the past 90 years and grateful to the generations of customers, employees and suppliers who have supported us throughout this time."
Michelin-Listed Restaurant Also Closes
Meanwhile, Michelin-listed restaurant The Water House Project, located in Bethnal Green, announced on social media that it will be closing for good. The closure brings an end to a remarkable five-year journey for chef Gabriel Waterhouse and partner Patricia Wakaimba, who transformed a small supper club into one of the country's most highly regarded restaurants.
