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<\/p>\nA HUGE high street chain with 1,400 branches is set to close another store as shoppers say there "wont be anything left".<\/p>\n
WHSmith is set to pull down the shutters on its shop in Alfreton, Derbyshire, in January 2024.<\/p>\n
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A spokesperson for the retailer told The Derbyshire Times, who first reported the closure: "We are sorry to confirm that our WHSmith store in Alfreton will be closing at the beginning of January 2024.<\/p>\n
"We are very disappointed to be losing our presence in the town, however, unfortunately, we are unable to continue to trade viably from this location.<\/p>\n
"We would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us."<\/p>\n
The news of the closure has been met with devastation by local residents.<\/p>\n
One said: "Just heard WHSmith is now closing down we all need to shop local, me included. Alfreton is not going to have anything left."<\/p>\n A second said: "There\u2019s hardly any shops now in Alfreton."<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a third added: "Very sad I love it there."<\/p>\n WHSmith has already closed two branches this year, including in Bicester on August 30.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Its Newcastle-under-Lyme branch shut permanently in March too, the Stoke Sentinel reported.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the retailer is set to shut its branch in Ramsgate, Kent, at the start of 2024.<\/p>\n In June, WHSmith's boss Carl Cowling said it had no plans to open any more UK high street stores.<\/p>\n Instead, it is focusing its efforts on UK airports and train stations, as well as looking to expanding in the US and Europe, he said.<\/p>\n A number of retailers have been closing stores across the UK in recent months.<\/p>\n Shoppers are increasingly turning to online retail and away from physical branches, putting pressure on small and large businesses.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, stubbornly high inflation since last year has meant consumers' money isn't going as far.<\/p>\n That, combined with high energy and wage costs, has seen a number of chains forced to close stores and cut back on costs.<\/p>\n Iceland, Boots and Costa Coffee have all closed a number of stores between them.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a number of retailers have gone bust completely too, including Paperchase, Cath Kidston and M&Co.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/crop-24169782.jpg\")
<\/picture>HOT STUFF <\/span><\/p>\nI barely use my heating & slashed \u00a3150 off my energy bill with a \u00a324 Dunelm find<\/h3>\n
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<\/picture>ESPRESS-OH NO <\/span><\/p>\nMajor coffee chain within Tesco to close ALL supermarket branches<\/h3>\n
Most read in Money<\/h2>\n
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<\/picture>SHOP & CHANGE <\/span><\/p>\nAldi issues message to ALL shoppers with accounts after major shopping change<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>ESPRESS-OH NO <\/span><\/p>\nMajor coffee chain within Tesco to close ALL supermarket branches<\/h3>\n
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<\/picture>OPEN UP<\/span><\/p>\nMcDonald\u2019s rival to open 5 branches this year as it eyes 140 other locations<\/h3>\n
What other retailers are closing stores?<\/h2>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
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