A warehouse in Hucknall looks set to close for the second time in under a year. The former JTF warehouse in Daniels Way will close its doors at the end of this month after financial failings from Poundstretcher, which took over the running of the site from its discount rival JTF last year.
It comes after JTF announced it was appointing an administrator in July 2021 and staff there lost their jobs. The Nottinghamshire-based chain operated 12 shops across the Midlands and the north of England, employing 500 staff, but closed them all last year.
Shortly after, however, budget retailer Poundstretcher acquired JTF and reopened the store in September. It has now been revealed, in a planning application submitted to Ashfield District Council, that the site is going to be closed once again at the end of March 2022.
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This is after Poundstretcher "financially failed" to make the site work and so a search has begun for a new tenant. It is not detailed how these changes will affect staff members currently working at the store.
A planning document submitted to the council states: "Unfortunately, as a result of a drastic downturn in trade, compounded by the direct effects of Covid, has led to the nation-wide closure of the JTF chain of stores with the Hucknall branch closing their doors to the public in July 2021. However, matters soon changed by the acquisition of the JTF brand by rival discount chain, Poundstretcher, who reopened the store in September 2021.
"Unfortunately again, for similar reasons, Poundstretcher have also financially failed to make the site work and as such have recently served official notice on the building owner to vacate the premises at the end of March 2022. Local letting agents have therefore been appointed to locate a new tenant for the building and under their recommendation there is now an immediate need to replace the existing bespoke Sui Generis approval for one that can provide a greater chance for success."
It concludes: "The overall intention in pursuing the proposed change of use is to help securea new tenant for the building, in order to safeguard the long term future and sustainability of the existing building, whilst contributing towards the continued success of the established Hucknall Industrial Estate and in maintaining local employment levels. It is therefore hoped that this proposal will be favourably considered."
The application will now be considered by Ashfield District Council's planning committee. Poundstretcher have been approached for comment on the matter.
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