Latest news with #Middlewich
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Original Factory Shop launches closing down sale at another store – see the full list of locations at risk
THE Original Factory Shop is set to call time on another store with a number of sites at risk of closure. A branch in Middlewich is now the latest store to be marked for closure. 1 A closing down sale has been launched with up to 50% off some lines in the store. Locals have branded the closure in the Cheshire town as "another blow" for the high street. A concerned shopper warned there would be "nothing left" in the area as "everything is closing down". While another said: "Your store was a highlight of my days during a really tough time when I lived in Middlewich." And a third added: "This shop will be greatly missed." The exact date of when the store has not been confirmed yet. but The Sun will update this piece when we find out more. Up to 11 TOFS stores are already to set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria . Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been placed up for sale. The Original Factory Shop has told The Sun that negotiations are ongoing with landlords - making it unclear whether these shops will remain open. It comes as part of a major restructuring carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss making stores having to close as result. Why are shops closing stores? A spokesperson told The Sun: "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." They added: "These negotiations are commercially sensitive and so we cannot comment on which stores are affected.' You can see the full list of store closures here: 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 Middlewich - TBC The following stores are also up for sale: Nairn Market Drayton Troon Blairgowrie Castle Douglas What's been happening with The Original Factory Shop? Private equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February and has since launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores. Modella is known for picking up struggling retailers, having also recently acquired Hobbycraft and WHSmith 's high street shops. It is set to rebrand all WHSmith high street stores to TGJones, and has brought in advisers to look at potential options for Hobbycraft. At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS. Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business. They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords. TOFS previously told The Press and Journal that a "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the restructuring. It said at the time: "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." The Original Factory shop has already shuttered more than a dozen stores over the past 12 months. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Mid-Cheshire: New plan for towns with 'proud identities'
A plan to "raise the prominence" of part of Cheshire is aiming to bring in more business investment, improve transport links and encourage more visitors.A plan for Mid-Cheshire, which includes the three towns of Middlewich, Northwich and Winsford and the surrounding rural area, is set to be signed off by Cheshire West and Chester will also include the creation of a new board to oversee the plan, which will be named the Mid-Cheshire plans will be discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday. The area covered crosses two councils because Middlewich is in Cheshire East. The report to councillors said that the town had been included to reflect a "shared industrial heritage".It also said the area "does not have a rigid 'red-line' boundary but sits at the heart of the Cheshire countryside" in the eyes of the public. Around 110,000 people live in the plan features five areas, including business investment, skills, neighbourhoods and also says some services such as street cleaning, sports ground maintenance and creative and cultural activities could be transferred to town councils or community organisations in the longer term. More lobbying for funding for local transport improvements and rail infrastructure would be at the heart of the the proposals, the new Mid-Cheshire Partnership would have between 12 and 16 members, and would be expected to include representatives from the two councils, NHS, transport providers, the voluntary sectors and local businesses, and the area's West and Chester Council's cabinet has been recommended to approve the plans. Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Business does deal to be exclusive exporter for cider-maker
A MIDDLEWICH business is celebrating after coming to an agreement with a cider-maker at the opposite end of the country. Cheers Global is to be the exclusive exporter for Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm's portfolio of products for the next three years. The Middlewich business is around a year old but the businessman behind it is an expert with experience with other big brands such as at Britvic and at Coca-Cola. Craig Johnstone and the team are to bring Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm's award-winning classic ciders, flavoured ciders and other drinks to international markets. They are already the exclusive exporter for Adnams Brewery in Southwold, Suffolk, and Buxton Brewery in Buxton, Derbyshire, as well as GinTing and RumTing. Craig Johnstone (Image: Cheers Global) Mr Johnstone said: "We are proud to be representing Healeys and their fantastic portfolio of products. With the growing global popularity of cider, we believe the Rattler brand is well-suited for international markets. "We are excited to explore opportunities to introduce Healeys to a wider audience and share their exceptional brands with the world." Joe Healey (Image: Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm) Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm has a 40-year history of cider-making under the gaze of first-generation founders David and Kay Healey then of their sons Joe and Sam Healey. After restoring a farm from the 1800s and restoring an apple press from even earlier they are now one of the biggest independent cider producers anywhere across Cornwall. Joe Healey said: "We are excited to embark on this partnership with Cheers Global and we look forward to working closely with their team to grow our international presence. "Their deep expertise in drinks export, along with strong relationships with leading importers and retailers across a wide range of markets, makes them an ideal partner for us." For information on Cheers Global go to For information on Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm go to
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Trapped driver rescued after lorry plunges into canal in Cheshire
A driver has been rescued from a canal by firefighters using an inflatable raft after a heavy goods vehicle plunged into the services were called to the Trent and Mersey Canal on Booth Lane in Middlewich at 07:00 BST, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service used the raft to rescue the trapped driver, who was not thought to be seriously hurt, from the cab of the half-submerged lorry, the service are now underway to remove the vehicle from the canal. Booth Lane has been closed and drivers have been asked to avoid the area, a fire service spokesman said. Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lorry lands in CANAL after leaving the road in dramatic crash
A lorry was seen in the middle of a Cheshire canal following a dramatic crash. Emergency services descended on Booth Lane, in Middlewich, at around 7am this morning (May 8) following a bizarre collision. The incident involved one heavy goods vehicle, which left the road before landing in the Trent and Mersey Canal, near to the British Salt works. READ MORE: UK tourists warned they could be 'turned away at the airport' over strict passport rules READ MORE: Man, 21, took his own life just one day before court appearance Images show the lorry close to where it landed in the water, with the vehicle seen at an angle and partly submerged. Doorbell camera footage from a property on Booth Lane, seen by the Manchester Evening News, shows the moment the lorry leaves the carriageway - crossing the other side of the road and a patch of grass before landing in the water. Fortunately, the driver was not injured in the collision, according to police. Firefighters were sent out to help release the driver from the vehicle, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service says. A drone image shared with the M.E.N. shows emergency services parked up close to the canal. Ryan Preece, who lives close to the scene, told the M.E.N.: "I was on my way to work, I turned right out of my gate and about 20 seconds into the journey I saw the lorry starting to swerve. "Obviously myself and the lad that works for me stopped. The driver got out after the crash. We heard the impact with both of the van windows up. It was insane." Five fire engines were sent out to the scene, plus a rescue boat and a specialist rope rescue unit. Police also attended the incident. Booth Lane was initially closed while firefighters attended the scene, with people asked to avoid the area. A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 7am on Thursday 8 May, police were called to reports of a collision on Booth Lane, Middlewich. Officers attended the scene and found that a HGV had fallen into the canal. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE "There are no reports of any injuries, and no arrests have been made. Booth Lane remains open at this time, although there are delays in the local area." A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: "An inflatable raft was used to rescue the driver of the vehicle and they were passed to the care of ambulance crews. "Firefighters are liaising with colleagues from the Canal and Rivers Trust, Environment Agency and police to support the safe removal of the HGV from the water."
