‘Another empty shop’ as British health chain with over 700 stores shuts down branch for good

A MAJOR British health chain with more than 700 stores has shut down a branch in a scenic market town for good. The store is set to close today (September 14) in the latest retail blow to the town. The Holland & Barrett store located in the St Mary Centre, Thornbury, is closing on September 14 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo The Holland & Barrett store located in the St Mary Centre, Thornbury, is to cease trading as part of a restructuring programme. The news sparked concern from Ashley Smith, the chair of Thornbury Town and District Residents Association, who described the move as a “real shame”. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! “It is another empty shop,” he told the Gazette. “The street is dying and nothing palpable is being done. “More and more houses are being built, with less and less infrastructure.” A Holland and Barrett spokesperson says the closure is part of its nationwide transformation plan. “This is part of an ongoing £70 million investment into transforming our stores, which includes opening and renovating more than 200 new locations nationwide. “Our programme includes a mix of new store openings, refurbishments, relocations, lease expiries and closures, with decisions focused on ensuring we are operating from the right locations to best serve customers both in-store and online.” Most read in Money The nearest Holland & Barrett store for residents in Thornbury after today will be in Bradley Stoke. The closure comes after the recent shuttering of a branch of Lloyds Bank in Thornbury. Comment now