Nostalgic clothing chain with 309 UK stores launches 70% off closing down sale at branch shutting tomorrow

A HIGH street fashion chain is axing another location amid a major downsizing plan – with all products now 70 per cent off. The branch will operate its last day of trading on Wednesday. The chain has struggled in recent years as a result of a turbulent economic environment Credit: Getty Images New Look is closing its Bishop’s Stortford store tomorrow (August 19), as part of the retailer’s ongoing reduction of its UK store network. Launching a 70 per cent off sale, a sign in the shopfront read: “Thanks for having us, Bishop’s Stortford. This store will be closing on Wednesday, 19th August. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! “Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to find us on newlook.com with 100s of new styles dropping every week.” Recent closures of the high street chain included those in Wickford and Chelmsford in January and May last year. The business also pulled down the shutters at its branch in Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland on April 15. New Look said last year that around a quarter of its 364 stores would be at risk when their lease expired. At its peak in 2018, the fashion retailer operated more than 600 outlets across the UK. Now, the brand has more than halved its high street presence in the past five years. Most read in Money The closures are believed to have been the result of the rise in employment and business costs, fall in consumer footfall and a challenging economic environment. According to Essex County News, the Bishop’s Stortford unit is expected to be replaced by a Barclays Bank. Following the closure, the closest New Look store for shoppers will be a 25-minute drive away, in Harlow. Comment now