Lakeland is preparing to shut down another store in the coming month. An employee at the Reading branch revealed to the Reading Chronicle that the store’s doors will close on August 8.
According to reports, the store has initiated an “everything must go” sale, with “closing soon” signs displayed in the windows.
Customers have taken to social media to express their dismay at the news. One individual lamented, “I enjoy Lakeland products! It’s disappointing to have to resort to online shopping for my preferred kitchen and homeware items.”
Another shopper commented on the changing landscape of Reading’s shopping scene, stating, “Reading used to be a bustling shopping hub that I adored visiting, but it’s no longer the same! It has been practically decimated, leaving little reason to explore it further.”
The closure follows Lakeland’s recent shutdown of its Syon Park store in west London on June 6 and the relocation of its Eastgate Shopping Centre store in Inverness to the Simpsons Garden Centre in March.
Established in 1964 by Alan Rayner as Lakeland Plastics, the company, now headquartered in Windermere, Cumbria, operates nearly 60 stores across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In a similar move, Asda announced intentions to close its Anchor Retail Park branch in Stepney Green due to commercial viability concerns, potentially affecting 50 jobs.
Poundland has also disclosed plans to close 68 stores and two warehouses, jeopardizing over 1,300 jobs, following its acquisition by investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1. The company aims to negotiate reduced rents at several other locations as part of its restructuring strategy.
Poundland, under the ownership of Pepco Group, maintains around 800 stores in the UK and employs approximately 16,000 workers. The company reported a 6.5% revenue decline to €985 million (£830 million) for the six months leading to March compared to the previous year.