Huge motors store & go-to repair shop will close down in WEEKS after suffering ‘challenges’
A HUGE engine shop and repair shop will close in just a few weeks after suffering “challenges”.
Halfords pulls down the shutters on its store in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in October.
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The store at Five Valleys Shopping Center will close its doors for the final time next month.
However, the company has not confirmed a specific closure date.
Stroud Chamber of Commerce chairman Tony Davey said the store would be missed.
He said Stroud News & Journal: “It will be sad to see a business that has been part of the retail landscape in Stroud go after so long.
“Halfords has faced the challenges faced by many national chains and has been closing stores in town centers such as ours for some time in favor of out-of-town stores where rents can often be much lower.
“Stroud appears to be one of the last in the area to undergo these changes.”
He continued: “Halfords’ loss will be the gain of other local businesses, of which we are fortunate to have a number of businesses offering similar services within a reasonable distance.”
“I hope that a new tenant will be found soon after we move out and will offer the city a diverse range of services.”
A Halfords spokesman said yesterday: “We can confirm that the Halfords store at Five Valleys Shopping Centre, Stroud, will be closing and staff are aware of the closure.”
“Customers can continue to shop at Halfords.com.
“We are working hard to support everyone affected.”
Halfords has already closed two stores this year, with a spokesman saying in February the company was “regularly reviewing” its portfolio.
This came after the retailer said its profitability had been hit by “weakness” in the consumer tire market.
The auto retailer blamed a shortage of technicians and weak demand for tires for the stock’s decline.
In July 2020, Halford planned to close 60 stores and workshops following a decline in sales due to coronavirus.
The national retailer, which has around 750 stores across the UK, also offers car and bike services as well as MOT testing.
The nearest Halfords branches to Stroud are in Gloucester and Cheltenham.
