Budget UK shoe chain with over 250 stores permanently shuts down town centre branch after more than 30 years

A POPULAR shoe store has closed a branch on a busy high street, leaving locals gutted. The chain shut up shop for good on Monday, September 7, after years of trade. Shoe Zone has closed a branch in Tooting high street Credit: PA Shoe Zone closed a branch in Tooting High Street earlier this week, with residents calling it a “real shame” The brand, which has over 250 locations across the UK, sells boots, trainers, sandals and a range of other footwear at affordable prices. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! The news of the closure will come as a blow to fans of the branch, who in the past praised its “helpful and kind” staff. The chain has closed dozens of branches in the last few years, revealing back in May it closed 14 over the course of six months. At the time, the budget chain blamed a nightmare trading environment and global chaos for a massive hit to its finances. Back at the start of July, the chain also closed a branch in Carlisle following a closing down sale. In recent years, the brand has pivoted from mainly high street stores to retail parks, with 53 smaller high street stores and 206 larger units. It is not the first time residents in Tooting have had to wave goodbye to an iconic brand, with Morley’s Department Store closing down last year. Most read in Money The news comes amid a challenging time for Britain’s retail scene. Wynsors World of Shoes is closing down 17 branches after it warned of rent and job cuts earlier this summer. Meanwhile, up to 150 TG Jones stores are at risk of closure, after the chain was rebranded from WH Smith last year. Earlier this year, Claire’s Accessories collapsed into administration, closing all 154 of its standalone sites in April. Peter Alexander, the posh sleepwear brand, is also closing all UK stores after citing difficult trading conditions. Comment now