Primark has announced the closure of its Dartford store, marking the first time in over a decade that the retailer has shut one of its UK branches. The store, located in The Orchards Shopping Centre, will close after Christmas, though no exact date has been confirmed.
The decision was attributed to the poor condition of the building and the high costs required for repairs. Philippa Nibbs, Primark's director of sales for the South and South East, said: 'Following careful consideration, we're proposing to close our Dartford store in the new year. This proposal has been informed by the significant and extensive repair work the building requires. Given its close proximity to two other Primark stores, the level of investment it needs simply isn't viable.'
The company has notified the 53 employees at the Dartford branch and is conducting a consultation period. Primark has pledged to explore options to support staff, including potential redeployment to nearby stores. The retailer also thanked customers for their patronage and acknowledged the disappointment the closure will bring to the local community.
Primark operates over 190 stores across the UK. The Dartford closure comes as other high street chains, such as JD Sports, have also shut shops due to weaker sales and strained consumer finances. Despite this closure, Primark has not announced any further store closures in Britain.
