Tiling specialist Topps Tiles will close its Cheam store on August 7 and locals have reported seeing “everything must go” signs in the store’s window.
The Cheam site is one of 23 branches the tiling store said planned to close.
In April, Topps Tiles bosses said they would shut the storees as part of “significant self-help measures”.
Eight stores have already shut and a remaining 15 are planned to close over the coming six months.
Management gave several reasons for the closures, including geopolitical instability and inflation.
Topps Tiles chief executive Alex Jensen said at the time: “In light of subdued consumer sentiment and geopolitical uncertainty as well as the cumulative impact of cost inflation, the management team is implementing a targeted programme of self-help measures weighted towards the second half.”
Earlier this month, Topps Tiles said the extreme heat this summer has added to its challenges after difficult trading.
The June heatwaves swept the country, with millions of Brits put under rare amber and red Met Office warnings for extreme heat.
The high temperatures led to sleepness nights, school closures and travel disruption – and according to Topps Tilesm had an effect on its trade as it forced tradesmen to pause work.
The company said the impact the weather had as it warned over annual profits following worse-than-expected sales.
The chain said sales fell 1.8% in the three months to June 27, with flat like-for-like revenues across its main Topps Tiles brand, which worsened through the quarter.
“Recent periods of extreme heatwave conditions led to temporary work stoppages among housebuilders and traders, further affecting activity levels,” the firm said.
“Whilst there is likely to be a catch-up over a six-month period, this is unlikely to come back fully in our financial year which ends in September.”
There appears to be little reprieve for Brits this summer, with the UK set for its fourth heatwave around the corner.
Temperatures expected to peak at 35C across southeast England on Wednesday.