Sports Direct is closing its branch at Birchwood Shopping Centre in Warrington, with a 20% off closing down sale now underway. The store first opened in 2015.
After the closure, only one Sports Direct branch will remain in the Cheshire town, located at Riverside Retail Park on Wharf Street, according to the Warrington Guardian. Posters informing customers of the impending closure have been displayed in the shopping centre branch, with stock reductions of 20%.
Another store set to close
Another branch, on Bridge Street in Evesham, Worcestershire, is also reportedly set to close next month. Frasers Group, which owns Sports Direct, has a habit of relocating branches rather than completely closing them, reports the Express.
Sports Direct is part of Frasers Group, founded by Mike Ashley. With outlets across the UK, Europe and Malaysia employing over 20,000 staff, Sports Direct has seen significant expansion since the first store opened in Maidenhead, Berkshire, in 1982. The retailer has over 500 stores.
Parent company expansions
Its parent company recently increased its stake in high-end fashion chain Hugo Boss and acquired one of the UK's most iconic luxury retailers, Harvey Nichols. This acquisition includes Harvey Nichols' flagship store in Knightsbridge, as well as branches in Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds and Edinburgh.
In April, Sports Direct unveiled a 31,000 sq ft megastore in Kingston-upon-Thames in southwest London. Lauren Barrie, Chief Retail Officer at Frasers Group, commented at the time: "Sports Direct Kingston is another example of how we're elevating the UK's sports and lifestyle retail offering. Delivering immersive retail destinations that bring together global brands and specialist services under one roof. This opening is another important step in delivering our elevation strategy."
Bank branch closures
The development comes as Lloyds Bank and Halifax set to shut a combined total of 26 branches next month. Lloyds Banking Group, which encompasses Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, stated that the manner in which its customers choose to bank is constantly evolving, which can make it essential to shut or relocate branches.
The bank stated: "When making changes to our branch network, we always look to understand the impact on our customers - including how they continue to access banking services." October's shutdowns will begin with the Lloyds branch in Rochdale, situated at 58 Yorkshire Street, with closures proceeding fairly regularly until October 21.
While the banking group is implementing major alterations to its branch network, it added that customers have numerous other methods of accessing its services.
