A HUGE motors store and repair shop will close down in weeks after suffering “challenges”.
Halfords is pulling down the shutters on its branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in October.
GoogleHalfords is shutting down one of its stores in Stroud[/caption]
The store, which is located in the Five Valleys Shopping Centre, will close its doors for the final time next month.
However, the business has not confirmed a specific closure date.
Tony Davey, chair of Stroud Chamber of Commerce, said that the store would be missed.
He told Stroud News & Journal: “It will be sad to see a business that has been part of the retail landscape in Stroud leave after so long.
“Halfords has experienced challenges faced by many national chains and has, for some time, been closing stores in town centres like ours in favour of out-of-town units where rents can often be much less.
“Stroud appears to be one of the last in the area to undergo these changes.”
He continued: “The loss of Halfords will be the gain of other, local businesses, where we are fortunate to have a number that provide similar services within a reasonable distance.
“I hope a new tenant will be secured, soon after their departure, that will bring a diversity of offerings to the town.”
A Halfords spokesperson said yesterday: “We can confirm the Halfords store in Five Valleys Shopping Centre, Stroud is due to close and staff are aware of the closure.
“Customers will still be able to purchase from Halfords.com.
“We are working hard to support all of those affected.”
Halfords has already closed two branches this year, with a spokesperson saying in February it “regularly reviewed” its portfolio.
It comes after the retailer said its profitability had been knocked by “weakness” in the consumer tyre market.
The go-to store for drivers blamed a shortage of technicians and weak demand for tyres for falling shares.
In July 2020, Halford earmarked 60 stores and garages for closure following a hit in its sales due to coronavirus.
The national retailer, which has around 750 stores across the UK, also services cars and bikes and offers MOTs.
The nearest Halfords stores to Stroud are located in Gloucester and Cheltenham.