High street chain launches 70% off closing down sales as 25 shops set to shut
The Original Factory Shop has launched closing down sales with up to 70% off at three more of its stores.
The discount chain is undergoing a major restructure and has already closed, or is set to close, 22 branches - including one in Kirkham, Lancashire, which will close this month.
One new store which has been confirmed for closure is in Caldicot, Wales, which is closing for good this week. Then after this, The Original Factory Shop in Market Drayton, Shropshire, will close on September 20.
Another of its shops in Nairn, Scotland, has also been earmarked for closure, although no exact date has been announced yet. These latest locations put the total number of closures to 25.
One person said: "Such diverse stock you will be sadly missed." Another commented: "Ahhhhh no, always get birthday balloons etc from you... brilliant service."
A third said: "Oh no! Such a shame!" A fourth person posted: "I am so sad to see this lovely shop go me and my family have been poping in for years getting all sorts of bits and bobs."
It comes after its owner Modella Capital launched plans to renegotiate rents at 88 of its 178 stores through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), according to Sky News.
A CVA is an agreement between a business and its creditors that allows debts to be paid off over a fixed period of time. The creditors must first approve the CVA before it can be implemented. The Original Factory Shop employs around 2,000 people.
A spokesperson for The Original Factory previously said: "The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) recently confirmed that as part of a restructuring a number of its loss-making stores will have to close.
"Closing stores is always a tough decision and we are committed to keeping as many stores open as possible. This is, however, dependent on successful negotiations with landlords as we strive to build a sustainable and successful business for the future.
"We have already announced that two stores will close. Additionally, a small number of other stores are currently under review, with their continued operation subject to ongoing negotiations with landlords."
Full list of The Original Factory Shop closures
Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - June 26
Perth - 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 - July 20
Caernarfon - July 20
Ashbourne - July 20
Matlock - July 26
Cupar, Fife - July 27
Kirkham, Lancashire - August
Caldicot - August 7
Market Drayton - September 20
Middlewich, Cheshire - TBC
Blairgowrie, Scotland - TBC
Heswall - TBC
Blairgowrie - TBC
Kinross - TBC
Heswall - TBC
Nairn - TBC
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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
High-street chain with 178 stores reveals another three will soon close
A discount department store chain snapped up by a private equity firm in February has announced the closure of further three shops this year. The Original Factory Shop, which sells everything from shoes and garden benches to perfume and kitchen roll, has already announced a number of store closures in recent months. But this week the retailer announced plans to close its shops in three more locations, dealing a fresh blow to shoppers wanting to buy their everyday items in person in shops rather than online. The retail sector is being hammered by higher wages and employer national insurance contributions announced, resulting in a large number of job losses and even more empty shops on Britain's ailing high streets. The Original Factory Shop was founded by the Black family in 1969, with its first shop opening in Keighley. It has 178 shops across Britain. The chain was a hit and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited its shop in Keighley in 1970. However, the chain, which employs around 2,000 people, fell on tough times and saw sales and profit dwindle. It was acquired by private equity firm Duke Street in 2007, before being acquired by Modella Capital this year. After Modella got on board, it swiftly drew up plans to to renegotiate rents at 88 of the company's 178 stores. The Original Factory Shop - shops closed or set to close this year Here is a list of The Original Factory Shop stores which have closed or are due to close this year: - Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - 26 June - Perth - 28 June - Chester Le Street, County Durham - 28 June - Arbroath, Angus - 28 June -Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire - 28 June - Pershore, Worcestershire - 28 June - Normanton, West Yorkshire - 28 June - Peterhead, Aberdeenshire - 28 June - Shaftesbury, Dorset - 28 June - Staveley, Cumbria - 12 July - Bridlington - 20 July - Caernarfon - 20 July - Ashbourne - 20 July - Matlock - 26 July - Cupar, Fife - 27 July - Kirkham, Lancashire - August - Caldicot - 7 August - Market Drayton - 20 September - Middlewich, Cheshire - to be confirmed - Blairgowrie, Scotland - to be confirmed - Heswall - to be confirmed - Blairgowrie - to be confirmed - Kinross - to be confirmed - Heswall - to be confirmed - Nairn - to be confirmed The proposals were contained in a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which is a last-ditch restructuring process, launched in April. Since then, the retailer has announced a number of store closures, resulting in an unknown number of job losses. This week it was announced that three further The Original Factory Shop stores will close. The affected stores are located Caldicot, Wales, Market Drayton, Shropshire, and Nairn in Scotland. All three shops affected have announced significant discounts of up to 70 per cent in-store as they prepare to close. In a Facebook post this month, the chain's Market Drayton shop said: 'We are sorry to let you know… this store is closing. Thank you to our wonderful customers and store colleagues for your support throughout our time here in the local community.' One Facebook user responded: 'Gutted for you guys, will definitely miss shopping with you. Good Luck with your future plans'. On top of the three store closures affecting Caldicot, Market Drayton and Nairn, four other The Original Factory Shop store closures were unveiled last month. The chain's store in Staveley, Cheshire, shut for good on 12 July, while sites in Caernarfon and Bridlington were shuttered for the final time on 20 July. The group's shop in Cupar, Fife, also closed for good on 27 July. Twenty-two of the retailer's shops have shut or are set to close this year and it is possible that further closures could be on the cards. The Original Factory Shop previously told The Press and Journal that a 'number of loss-making stores would have to close' during the restructuring. The Daily Mail contacted The Original Factory Shop for comment. Modella restructurings Modella, the private equity business which acquired The Original Factory Shop this year, is known to launch sweeping restructurings after snapping up struggling businesses. Having purchased Hobbycraft in August last year, Modella launched an overhaul of the business in April. This week it emerged that Hobbycraft is set to close nine further stores this month and in September as part of an ongoing rationalisation of its estate. Nine other stores have already shut. Hobbycraft confirmed this week that its shops in Bromborough, Southport, and Stratford-upon-Avon will stop trading this month, while its Wigan, Maidenhead, Chichester, Stafford, Kings Lynn and Crayford locations will close in September. Modella also now owns the high-street arm of WH Smith. WH Smith agreed to sell its 480 high street shops to Modella in a £76million deal, ending 233 years of high-street history. Modella is rebranding WH Smith under the name TG Jones. It remains unclear how the chain's store portfolio could be altered in the future.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
High street chain launches huge 70% off closing down sales as three Scots branches set to shut
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR high street retailer has announced it is set to close three Scottish branches and has launched huge closing-down sales. The Original Factory Shop is a discount department store chain which had over 180 branches across the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Original Factory Shop is closing three branches across Scotland Credit: Alamy The retail chain sells a range of discounted products, like cleaning supplies, travel items and even some beauty products. Customers can also pick up pet products, jewellery, drinks, perfume and footwear. However, bosses have pulled the shutters down at several shops across the country as part of huge restructuring plans. A total of 22 shops have closed or are set to shut this year across the UK after 10 closed for good last year. The closures come after The Original Factory Shop was taken over by Modella Capital earlier this year. The private equity firm, which is known for taking on struggling retailers, bought the retailer in February. It then quickly launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 of the retail chain's stores. Modella, which also recently acquired Hobbycraft and WHSmith's high street shops, drew up plans to initiate a Company Voluntary Arrangement in April. A CVA is a way of restructuring that means a business can continue trading while negotiating its debts, for example, by cutting rent costs with landlords. And bosses told the Press and Journal at the time that a "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the CVA. Iconic Glasgow Cineworld that's world's tallest cinema building set to close as staff face axe They added: "Closing stores is always a tough decision and we are committed to keeping as many stores open as possible. "This is, however, dependent on successful negotiations with landlords as we strive to build a sustainable and successful business for the future." Four Scottish stores have already closed over the summer. Branches in Perth, Arbroath, in Angus, and Peterhead, in Aberdeenshire, all closed on June 28. The store in Cupar, Fife, soon followed and pulled the shutters down for the final time on July 27. Now bosses have revealed that stores based in Blairgowrie, Nairn and Kinross will also be closing down. However, it is currently unknown exactly when it will shut for good. Several other stores across the country are set to close this month, including one in Irkham, Lancashire, and another in Caldicot in Wales. Staff at the Caldicot branch announced the news of the closure in a Facebook post this week. And a closing-down sale was launched with discounts of up to 70 per cent off. Meanwhile, The Original Factory shop in Nairn announced the closure in a similar Facebook post. 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 - 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 - July 20 Caernarfon - July 20 Ashbourne - July 20 Matlock - July 26 Cupar, Fife - July 27 Kirkham, Lancashire - August Caldicot - Aug 7 Market Drayton - Sep 20 Middlewich, Cheshire - TBC Blairgowrie, Scotland - TBC Heswall - TBC Blairgowrie, Perthshire - TBC Kinross - TBC Heswall - TBC Nairn, Highlands - TBC It added: 'We'd love to see you in store one final time to say goodbye.' Loyal customers flocked to the comments after Eben left gutted by the news. One person said: "So sorry to hear this. Sending very best wishes to the whole team. We will be sad to see you go." Another added: "Such sad news for the town and the staff". Someone else posted: "Sad sad times to see another store closing in Nairn and also staff losing their jobs. All the best to the staff for their future". While a fourth wrote: "So sorry to hear that. I've loved shopping there and the staff have been so helpful and friendly. Hope they all find future employment". And a fifth chimed in: "Very sad that you're closing, will miss you all, thank you for being so helpful".
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
High street chain launches 70% off closing down sales as 25 shops set to shut
The discount chain is undergoing a major restructure and has already closed, or is set to close, 22 branches - so the latest closures will take the total list to 25 shops The Original Factory Shop has launched closing down sales with up to 70% off at three more of its stores. The discount chain is undergoing a major restructure and has already closed, or is set to close, 22 branches - including one in Kirkham, Lancashire, which will close this month. One new store which has been confirmed for closure is in Caldicot, Wales, which is closing for good this week. Then after this, The Original Factory Shop in Market Drayton, Shropshire, will close on September 20. Another of its shops in Nairn, Scotland, has also been earmarked for closure, although no exact date has been announced yet. These latest locations put the total number of closures to 25. One person said: "Such diverse stock you will be sadly missed." Another commented: "Ahhhhh no, always get birthday balloons etc from you... brilliant service." A third said: "Oh no! Such a shame!" A fourth person posted: "I am so sad to see this lovely shop go me and my family have been poping in for years getting all sorts of bits and bobs." It comes after its owner Modella Capital launched plans to renegotiate rents at 88 of its 178 stores through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), according to Sky News. A CVA is an agreement between a business and its creditors that allows debts to be paid off over a fixed period of time. The creditors must first approve the CVA before it can be implemented. The Original Factory Shop employs around 2,000 people. A spokesperson for The Original Factory previously said: "The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) recently confirmed that as part of a restructuring a number of its loss-making stores will have to close. "Closing stores is always a tough decision and we are committed to keeping as many stores open as possible. This is, however, dependent on successful negotiations with landlords as we strive to build a sustainable and successful business for the future. "We have already announced that two stores will close. Additionally, a small number of other stores are currently under review, with their continued operation subject to ongoing negotiations with landlords." Full list of The Original Factory Shop closures Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - June 26 Perth - 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 - July 20 Caernarfon - July 20 Ashbourne - July 20 Matlock - July 26 Cupar, Fife - July 27 Kirkham, Lancashire - August Caldicot - August 7 Market Drayton - September 20 Middlewich, Cheshire - TBC Blairgowrie, Scotland - TBC Heswall - TBC Blairgowrie - TBC Kinross - TBC Heswall - TBC Nairn - TBC
