A major high street fashion retailer is set to shut one of its long-standing stores this weekend. River Island has confirmed that its branch at the Friars Walk shopping centre in Newport, Wales, will close its doors for the final time on Sunday, April 19. The store first opened alongside the shopping centre in 2015, meaning it has served customers for just over 10 years.
The closure is part of a wider shake-up for the brand, which operates more than 220 stores across the UK and Ireland. In recent months, the retailer has already shut over 30 locations as part of a restructuring effort aimed at stabilising the business.
As the Newport branch prepares to close, shoppers have been offered discounts of up to 50% off in a clearance sale, South Wales Argus reports.
A notice appeared in the shop window earlier this month. It reads: “This store is closing (Sunday 19th April). Thanks for shopping with us – we’ve had a blast!
“You can still shop the latest trends at riverisland.com and nearby locations. With love, RI.”
The closure has prompted reaction from local shoppers, with some expressing disappointment at losing another well-known name from the city centre.
Friars Walk is a 390,000 square feet shopping centre on multiple levels which opened in 2015. The complex also has a blowling alley and a soft play area.
It’s home to a range of high street brands, restaurants, and a cinema. The centre launched with more than 20 high street brands but its line-up has changed in recent years and only a handful remain.
Marks & Spencer has confirmed its store at Friars Walk will close towards the end of June following the expiry of its lease, while Smiggle shut its doors earlier this year in January.
Next, however, recently confirmed it would be extending its lease and staying in Friars Walk for the foreseeable future.