Department store chain closing final shop as it disappears from high street after 140 years
Beales has launched a closing day sale as its last remaining shop before it disappears from the high street after more than 140 years.
The department store, which was founded in Bournemouth in 1881, will close its shop in the Dolphin Centre in Poole on May 31 and is now offering up to 75% as part of a closing down sale. It comes after Beales collapsed into administration in 2020 and closed all 23 of its shops.
Beales went on to reopen three branches in Poole, Peterborough, which closed in early 2023, and in Southport, was closed down last September. Devastated shoppers have been sharing their reaction to the Poole closure on Facebook. One said: “Here we go again, so sorry for all of the colleagues that are loosing [sic] their jobs.”
Another said: “Such a shame. I’ve never liked online shopping and love department stores. Always enjoyed a mooch around Beales.” A third commented: “What a sad shame. Lovely department stores. Could spend hours looking and trying things on. Absolute heaven.” A fourth said: “Extremely sad times beautiful department store all gone.”
Beales chief executive Tony Brown said the closure was down to the rise in employer National Insurance contributions and higher minimum wage, both of which are set to come into force in April. He told the Telegraph: “This, coupled with the risk and uncertainty of further tax increases in the coming years, have left us no other option.
“We have been working with the Dolphin Centre, who have been supportive, along with our investors to ensure an orderly exit. Our team has been informed, as have our suppliers. We will ensure the exit is managed and no one will be left with a financial loss.”
The rate of National Insurance paid by firms will rise from 13.8% to 15% from April 2025. The earnings threshold for when employers start paying National Insurance will also be lowered from £9,100 per year to £5,000. This comes on top of growing use of online shopping, stretched finances following the cost of living crisis, meaning people have less money to spend, and more employees working from home, which means less footfall in high streets.
At the same time, minimum wage will rise by 6.7%. For someone aged 21 and over, minimum wage will rise from £11.44 an hour to £12.21 an hour, while those aged 18 to 20 will see their rate rise from £8.60 an hour to £10 an hour. If you’re under 18 or you’re an apprentice, minimum wage is rising from £6.40 an hour to £7.55 an hour.
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