Popular retailer with 110 stores to shut 6 shops as it launches 50% closing down sale

A popular retialer with 110 branches across the UK will close six stores with some set to pull down the shutters for good in just a matter of days. Earlier this year, Hobbycraftannounced plans to shut at least nine stores up and down the country in a move affecting up to 126 jobs as part of a restructuring.

The arts and crafts chain confirmed that the next store to close will be Wigan on September 4. Following this, the Maidenhead and Chichester stores will close two weeks later on September 18. Crayford will shut for good on September 20, while King's Lynn will wave goodbye on September 22.

The final store to close will be Stafford on September 28.

Shoppers who wish to get their hands on a bargain need to be quick as Hobbycraft has launched a huge closing down sale of upto 50% across the six stores. Hobbycraft said the discounts will increase to up to 70% before the stores close for good.

The timings of these discounts will vary across each store.

Oner Modella Capital is launching an overhaul after buying the arts and crafts retailer in August last year.

Earlier this year, Modella Capital purchased WH Smith's remaining 480 high street stores in a £76 million deal.

The retail chain said the restructuring will also result in redundancies across its Bournemouth head office and distribution centre in Burton-on-Trent, but it has not disclosed how many roles this will affect.

It said the shake-up is a "last resort" and is intended to help secure the future of at least 99 stores and 1,800 jobs across the business.

Hobbycraft chief executive officer Alex Wilson said: "For many our stores are more than just arts and crafts supplies - they have become places for gaining crafting ideas and inspiration.

"Very sadly, the strength of our offering has not made us immune from the challenges faced by the retail sector in recent years.

"Closing stores is always a last resort and this has been an extremely difficult decision."