A MUCH-loved shopping centre will be torn down at the end of the month and two remaining stores will be forced to close in days.
The Keel Row Shopping Centre in Blyth will close for the final time on Thursday, February 29.
MirrorpixThe EE phone shop in the centre will close on February 10, followed by Bonmarché on February 20[/caption]
It came after the council acquired the retail complex back in July 2023.
But it’s now been confirmed that it’ll be demolished, which means the last remaining stores will need to vacate the premises within weeks.
The EE phone shop in the centre will close on February 10, followed by Bonmarché on February 20.
These are the only two units currently open in the centre.
Proposals for what will replace the centre have not been finalised but will include the Energy Central Institute, a higher education facility supporting the renewable energy industry in the town that will form part of the Energy Central Campus project.
Reacting to the news on Facebook, one local said: “I look forward to seeing the regeneration plans being built ASAP so we’re not left with a big gaping hole in the town centre like in Ashington and Bedlington.”
Another said: “Another nail in the coffin of the town centre.”
“Such a shame for Blyth to lose shopping outlets. More people, including me, will go to Cramlington.
“Blyth was a thriving market town, and it’s desperately sad to see it decline so much over the years, and I suspect the decline will continue,” said a third local.
Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for business, told the Northumberland Gazette: “While this does mark the end of an era, retail remains an important part of the town centre and we would encourage people to continue to visit while we improve the town.
“The Keel Row acquisition means we can bring forward more major development in the town centre including investment in educational, innovation and cultural activities.”
Mayor of Blyth Warren Taylor said: “As sad as it is to see the Keel Row close, we are optimistic that the developments taking place on the Market Place such as the culture venue, the proposed higher education facility, and a new hotel, will provide a boost to retailers in the town centre and encourage other businesses to invest.”
But the closure of shopping centres for the purpose of regeneration is just one blow to the high street.
Other retailers are having to voluntarily shut stores in specific locations as they battle high costs and decreased footfall.
Why are retailers closing stores?
The reason why shops are closing is not the same for every retailer, as each faces its own unique challenges.
But some central issues have been piling pressure on businesses in recent years, namely high energy costs.
High inflation has seen shoppers’ pockets squeezed, too, meaning they have less expendable cash to spend.
Meanwhile, the shift to online shopping has amplified pressure on the high street and retail parks.
Recent figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed over 10,000 shops closed for the last time in 2023, and almost 120,000 jobs were lost across the sector.
A number of notable retailers closing stores, including Boots, which is massively consolidating its portfolio of branches from 2,200 to 1,900.
Iconic names Wilko and Paperchase both fell into administration last year too, with thousands of staff laid off.
Other retailers have closed stores between them, including Iceland, New Look and the Original Factory Shop.
In recent days, troubled fashion brand Superdry has said it is looking at various “cost-saving options” after reports it is considering a major restructuring which could include store closures and job cuts.
However, it’s not all bad news for the high street, with a number of retailers opening stores across the UK.
B&M, which currently runs over 650 UK stores, recently announced plans to open 17 more across January and February.
Asda also plans to open 21 new locations before the end of the month as well.
The retailer said it wants to have 1,000 stores running across the UK and Northern Ireland by March this year.