Holland and Barrett has closed its store in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, as of September 14, as part of a nationwide restructuring programme affecting the health chain's 727 UK locations.
Local reaction to closure
Ashley Smith, chair of Thornbury Town and District Residents Association, described the move as a "real shame". He told the Gazette: "It is another empty shop. The street is dying and nothing palpable is being done. More and more houses are being built, with less and less infrastructure."
The closure comes amid continued struggles for UK retail, despite the economy unexpectedly growing by 0.4% in July and Government insistence that it is "turning a corner".
Company response
A spokesperson for Holland and Barrett said the closure is part of a transformation plan that will see more branches open across Britain. "This is part of an ongoing £70million investment into transforming our stores, which includes opening and renovating more than 200 new locations nationwide," they told The Sun.
"Our programme includes a mix of new store openings, refurbishments, relocations, lease expiries and closures, with decisions focused on ensuring we are operating from the right locations to best serve customers both in-store and online."
Impact on customers
The chain has also confirmed the closure of branches in Kent, Bournemouth, Alton and Dereham this year as part of the restructuring scheme. The nearest Holland and Barrett branch for residents in Thornbury will now be around six miles away in Bradley Stoke.
