A SCHOOL uniform shop is closing after 35 years of business, but it's not all bad news for shoppers.
Little Gems, in Castle Dene Shopping Centre, Peterlee, County Durham, is pulling down shutters for the final time on November 1.
Marie Ibbitson, owner of The School Outfit which runs Little Gems, said keeping the shop open was not "feasible" as it could not cover its expenses.
But, it's not all bad news as The School Outfit will remain trading online, while other locations in Washington and Sunderland are staying open.
Marie told The Northern Echo, which first reported the closure: "We're staying in business and we're going to do pop-up shops in the schools.
"We're going to go into the schools and sell uniforms in the schools, delivered to them like a free delivery service as opposed to normal delivery costs."
Read more in Retail
HEAT ME UP
Lidl's winter gadget to avoid putting heating on is returning to shelves
SHUTTERS DOWN
Major card chain suddenly closes store as 38 branches face being axed
She added: "We've been in The Chare in Peterlee for over 30-35 odd years now, it's just the way the centre's going, all the shops are closing in the centre."
The store's closure has been met with devastation by locals.
One said: "Peterlee at this rate is going to be a ghost town," while a second said: "Holy hell wats (sic) going on in that town centre, literally nothing is left."
A third said: "That's so sad. Shop has been ran well for years staff are so helpful."
Most read in Money
CASHING IN
Your 50p coin could be worth £300 if you can spot unusual number combination
LAST ORDERS
‘Huge sadness’ as pub chain closes ALL locations due to spiralling costs
STAY TOASTY
Martin Lewis’ MSE reveals six gadgets to help you avoid turning on the heating
HAPPY MEAL
I tried McDonald’s new burger & McFlurry flavour – they’re unlike anything else
Meanwhile, a fourth added: "Another one bites the dust."
The high street has been hit hard in recent years as shoppers increasingly turn to online retail.
The trend was made worse during the coronavirus pandemic.
Data from the Centre for Retail Research reveals online shopping accounted for 19.2% of the retail market share in 2019 compared to 26.5% in 2022.
High inflation since 2022 has seen households' budgets squeezed too meaning they've got less expendable cash.
That, combined with high energy and wage costs, has seen a number of businesses forced to close stores.
In July, Boots Pharmacy said it would be closing 300 branches as part of plans to consolidate its portfolio.
Meanwhile, a number of retailers have crashed into administration including Cath Kidston, Paperchase, M&Co and Wilko.
But it's not all bad news as a number of retailers have been expanding amid the closures.
Read More on The Sun
FESTIVE FEAST
Bargain supermarket is selling Christmas dinner for just £4 a head
BIG CHANGE
Where Big Brother 7 cast are now – from shock death to footballer scandal
Supermarket chain Iceland has been opening stores, with some under the Iceland Local brand.
Primark, Poundland and B&M have all been growing their portfolios too.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
Source: Read Full Article