High street chain launches 60% off closing down sales at three more branches ahead of 29 shops shutting

Scottish Sun

11 hours ago

Locals have said the high street will soon have 'nothing left'
CLOSING DOWN High street chain launches 60% off closing down sales at three more branches ahead of 29 shops shutting – see full list
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THE Original Factory Shop is closing three more branches and launching huge 60 percent off sales.
The high street chain has been shutting stores across the UK as part of a major restructure.
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The company has already shuttered stores this year and recently announced more closures
Credit: Alamy
Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, Normanton in West Yorkshire and Kirkham in Lancashire are just a few of the branches that have already rolled down the shutters.
Now stores in March in Cambridgeshire, Chard in Somerset and Horley in Surrey are next to the chopping block.
The March Factory Shop broke the news yesterday.
The store wrote on their Facebook page: "It's with huge sadness, but our store will be closing down.
"Starting tomorrow, we will go into our closing-down sale. All stock must go.
"We also want to thank all our customers for shopping with us."
The news came as a shock for some, with one writing: "Noooo I love that shop."
A second added: "There'll soon be nothing left in March, sorry for the lovely staff."
A third pointed out the importance of supporting the high street and said: "Use it or lose it. How many people in the comments haven't been for years, then act surprised with news like this?
"If a big company like this relies on local support, think how much it means to have the local support as a small business."
Chard's Original Factory Shop announced its closure on a Facebook post previously, giving locals a heads up that they would be treated to a 50 percent off sale until its last day on September 7.
Full list of TOFS stores that have closed in 2025 or are set to close
Here is a list of all the stores that have already shut or are earmarked for closure. Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - June 26
Perth, Scotland - June 28
Chester Le Street, County Durham - June 28
Arbroath, Angus - June 28
Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire - June 28
Pershore, Worcestershire - June 28
Normanton, West Yorkshire - June 28
Peterhead, Aberdeenshire - June 28
Shaftesbury, Dorset - June 28
Staveley, Cumbria - July 12
Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire - July 20
Caernarfon, Wales - July 20
Ashbourne, Derbyshire Dales - July 20
Matlock, Derbyshire - July 26
Cupar, Fife - July 27
Kirkham, Lancashire - August
Caldicot, Wales - August 7
Chard, Somerset - September 7
Market Drayton, Shropshire - September 20
Horley - TBC
Middlewich, Cheshire - TBC
Blairgowrie, Scotland - TBC
Heswall, Merseyside - TBC
Kinross, Scotland - TBC
Nairn, Scotland - TBC
Mexborough, South Yorkshire - TBC
Whitchurch, Shropshire - TB
The post told customers: 'We are sorry to let you know… This store is closing. Thank you to our wonderful colleagues for your support throughout our time here in the local community.'
The comment section was flooded with disappointed messages from loyal shoppers.
"So sorry to hear that you are closing, you are all great staff, you all helped me when I was not very well in your shop, thank you all again," one wrote.
Another echoed: "Big thank you to all staff members for your kindness and advice. I will definitely miss Factory Shop. All the best and good luck with finding new jobs."
Over in Horley, local MP Taylor O'Driscoll, took to social media to share his thoughts on the closure of the Surrey branch.
"I'm disappointed by the news that The Original Factory Shop in Horley is closing down at the end of September.
"While it's sad to be losing the Original Factory Shop, it's a reminder that in order to keep our high street upright, we must support it."
He was met with agreement, with one writing: "It's not just Horley, sadly, it's everywhere!
"How many of you lot moaning shop on Amazon/online? That's the reason!"
What is happening at TOFS?
The Original Factory Shop was bought by Modella Capital, a private equity firm, in February.
Modella is known for taking on struggling retailers and has also recently bought Hobbycraft and WHSmith's high street shops.
The firm quickly launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 The Original Factory Shop stores.
At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for the retailer.
Companies often use CVAs to avoid insolvency, which could otherwise force stores to close or trigger the collapse of the entire business.
They allow firms to explore different options, such as negotiating reduced rents with landlords.
But The Original Factory Shop previously told The Press and Journal that a 'number of loss-making stores would have to close' in the restructuring.
The Sun has approached TOFS for comment.
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There is a huge closing down sale in Chard