After it was revealed that two more retailers are to close in Haverhill, the town’s mayor has outlined the importance of community support for shops.
Last week, staff at Thing-Me-Bobs, in Queen Street, were informed the shop is to close, with a date yet to be confirmed, or a reason given. Eleven employees will lose their jobs.
On Friday, WH Smith then confirmed the April 26 closure of its shop in High Street.
WHSmith in High Street, Haverhill is to close on April 26, the retailer has confirmed.Picture: Steve Barton
The two closures are the latest setbacks for the town centre retail scene, which in the last five months has seen the loss of Clarks, My Screen Monkey and Timpson and has numerous empty premises.
Speaking about the shop closures, Cllr David Smith, the mayor of Haverhill, said: “As I said when the other retailers closed recently, it is always disappointing to see businesses in our town close their doors.
“It is a very difficult time for the retail business as they struggle to complete with online companies, and Haverhill is no different to many other market towns across the country.
Staff at the Haverhill branch of Thing-Me-Bobs were told last week that the shop is to close but no date has been set.Picture: Steve Barton
“These are private companies, and very often decisions are made at a national level, as with WH Smith, with no regard to the needs of local communities.
“It is my understanding that WHSmith’s high street stores make huge losses and are subsidised by outlets at rail and air termini. That is where they wish to concentrate their business.
“I always try to encourage people to spend even just a few pounds in town to support their local shops.
“I know it is easier, and often cheaper, to click on a button and shop online and have home delivery, especially when money is tight and we have other commitments that take up our time, but it is a truism that we must use it or lose it.”
The mayor of Haverhill, Cllr David Smith. Picture: Richard Marsham/RMG Photography
A spokesperson for WH Smith said last week: “It is no longer sustainable to continue to trade from this location and the decision has been taken to close the store as a result of the forthcoming lease expiry.
“We are disappointed to be losing our presence in Haverhill and we would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.
“We are also extremely grateful for the commitment of our in store colleagues who we will support with this transition and redeploy to nearby stores, where possible.”
The Echo is yet to hear from QD Stores, the owner of Thing-Me-Bobs, about the closure of the shop.
The store was broken into between 5.30pm last Thursday and 8.20am the next day and an amount of cash stolen. No arrests have been made yet.
Anyone with information about the burglary should contact Suffolk Police on 101, using the crime reference 37/1640/25.