A MAJOR high street clothing brand, with 500 branches, is closing its bargain store in hours.
Locals are mourning the popular home-ware and fashion stores closure complaining that it’s “such a shame.”
Next, it will shut its store in Darlington Retail Park, off Yarm Road, this evening after four years of serving up budget buys.
Responding to the news of the closure on social media one shopper said: “Aw no I love getting the girl’s clothes from here.”
Another added: “Such a shame.”
But some have argued the store was difficult to navigate.
One said: “Sometimes I could go in and see loads, other times it was rubbish, very hit and miss.”
Another added: “I find it quite like a jumble sale, unfortunately.”
Next has confirmed the store will close tomorrow, 24 May.
However, its standard format store in Darlington in the Cornmill centre remains open.
The brand warned of askew of closures after losing a landmark legal case of equal pay last year.
In January, it told shoppers that it might have to hike up prices following the chancellor’s increase of employer National Insurance Contributions.
The retailer claimed it would add £67million to its costs.
This spells another blow for bargain hunters in Darlington Retail Park after the closure of Home Bargains in recent months.
The town has also seen furniture shop Studio Eleven and a cheese and wine retailer this year.
The news follows a dire start to 2025 for the high street with many established retailers announcing closures.
WHSmith is to vanish entirely from town centres following the sale of its high-street branches while fashion retailer New Look has announced plans to shutter nearly 100 locations.
Rising inflation and costs, a move to online shopping and the cost of living crisis have contributed to the high street struggling.
Another struggling chain is Poundland, whose owner Pepco hired advisory firm Teneo to oversee the sale of the business.
It came after Pepco said it was looking at “all strategic options” to separate Poundland from its brand.
