A total of nine branches are closing across the country in the coming days
A Hobbycraft store shop (Photo by: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)(Image: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A Hobbycraft store in Bristol is among the list of nine stores announced to be closing as part of a major restructure.
The arts and crafts retail brand, which operates 124 stores across the country, will be offering sale prices of up to 70 per cent at affected branches in light of the closures. Some 120 jobs are reportedly affected.
The Bristol store featured on the list of those closing their doors for good is the branch at Imperial Retail Park in South Bristol. Its closing date is June 21.
The closures a part of what is reportedly a major restructure from new owner Modella Capital, which bought the brand in August 2023. It’s being described as ‘last resort’ measures to help protect the remaining 99 stores, and some 1,800 jobs across the company.
In April, BristolLive reported that the retail chain said the restructuring will also result in redundancies across its Bournemouth head office and distribution centre in Burton-on-Trent.
Hobbycraft chief executive officer Alex Wilson said: “For many our stores are more than just arts and crafts supplies – they have become places for gaining crafting ideas and inspiration.
“Very sadly, the strength of our offering has not made us immune from the challenges faced by the retail sector in recent years.
“Closing stores is always a last resort and this has been an extremely difficult decision.
“Making these changes is sadly a necessary action to enable us to keep our doors open to crafters up and down the country.”
The nine stores set to close are:
- Bagshot, Surrey
- Basildon, Essex
- Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
- Bristol Imperial Retail Park
- Canterbury, Kent
- Cirencester, Gloucester
- Dunstable, Bedfordshire
- Epping Forest, Essex
- Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex
Modella, which has also recently reportedly been pursuing a restructuring at its The Original Factory Shop business, agreed to buy WH Smith’s high street business earlier this year.
Just days ago, BristolLive reported that WH Smith said it was on track to complete the sale of its UK high street chain to the Hobbycraft owner by the end of the month, adding that it will mean the end of WH Smith shops on the high street.
The deal, which was agreed in March and values the high street chain at £76 million, will see the WH Smith name disappear from British high streets and be replaced by brand TGJones.
All of the approximately 480 stores and 5,000 staff working for the high street businesses will move under Modella Capital’s ownership as part of the deal.
Want the latest Bristol breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join our WhatsApp group.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.