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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lola Christina Alao

Boots stores: What shops have shut and which ones will close?

Boots is set to continue closing stores in the new year as part of cost-cutting plans.

The health and beauty chain confirmed in June that it would reduce its number of shops around the country by 300 – from 2,200 stores nationwide to 1,900 – but had not revealed which branches would close in the statement.

Boots has now revealed the names of the first 20 shops to shut, including the Boots on King William Street in central London. The decision by Boots follows that of M&S, Iceland, Next, and Clinton’s to reduce outlets. 

A Boots spokeswoman said: “Evolving the store estate in this way allows Boots to concentrate its team members where they are needed. 

“[It will allow us to] focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up-to-date environment.”

This is what that could mean for the brand.

Why is Boots closing stores?

Boots says the move is about trying to “consolidate a number of stores in close proximity to each other”.

Last month, in its quarterly results, Boots said: “Evolving the store estate in this way allows Boots to concentrate its team members where they are needed and focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up-to-date environment.”

Boots said shoppers affected by the closures will have alternative stores less than three miles away. All affected staff members have also been offered opportunities in other stores in the local areas.

Since 2019, Boots has already closed around 200 stores along with 48 optician services.

Which shops have already shut?

  • Salford Shopping Centre, Greater Manchester – February 2023

  • Church Street, Malvern – March 2023

  • The Port Arcades Shopping Centre, Ellesmere – March 2023

  • King William Street, London – June 2023

  • Heathside Road, Woking – July 2023

  • UEA campus – July 2023

  • Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff – August 2023

  • Holywell, Flintshire – August 2023

  • Windhill Road, Wakefield – October 2023

  • Upper Warrengate, Wakefield – October 2023

  • Glastonbury – October 2023

  • Uppingham Road, Leicester – October 2023

  • Guildford Road, Woking – October 2023

  • Kings Square, York – October 2023

  • Warminster – October 2023

  • Gorleston, Great Yarmouth – November 2023

  • High Row, Darlington – November 2023

  • Mudge Way, Plymouth – November 2023

  • Mount Pleasant, Exeter – November 2023

  • Kirkby Ashfield – November 2023

Which shops are set to close in 2024?

  • Cliftonville, Kent – January 20

  • Pemberton, Wigan – January 26

  • Hough Lane, Layland, Lancashire – to close in January

  • Front Street, Prudhoe – no date

  • Rhos on Sea – March 2024

  • Colwyn Bay – April 2024

  • Caerleon Road, Newport – to close in early 2024

  • Chepstow Road, Newport – to close in early 2024

  • Carlyon Road, St Austell, Cornwall – to close in early 2024

  • St Blazey, Cornwall – to close in early 2024

  • Lurgan – no date

  • Chard Road, Plymouth – no date

  • Mannamead Road, Plymouth – no date

  • Claremont Street, Plymouth – no date

  • Portland Walk, Barrow – no date

  • Gestridge Road, Teignbridge – no date

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