Superdrug, which has more than 800 stores across the UK, will close one of its branches in a major seaside town this January. The news has left locals ‘shocked’
Bournemouth residents will see WHSmith close down on January 18 and Superdrug on January 31(Image: (Image: Getty))
Bournemouth’s high street has been dealt a major blow as Superdrug, a leading retailer with over 800 branches, confirmed the closure of its popular town centre site.
The store on Commercial Road, a central retail hub since the 1960s, will cease trading at the month’s end. The news has shocked locals, as the one-stop shop for everything from makeup to medicine is shutting due to the landlord’s redevelopment plans.
The Bournemouth Daily Echo reported that the building will be transformed into eight smaller units after the shop closure on January 31.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Superdrug fans, as alternative stores in the area remain open. The nearest alternative is a 3.1-mile journey on Christchurch Road in Boscombe.
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That said, the town faces another major store closure this week. WHSmith has already announced plans to shut a long-standing Bournemouth branch later this week. The stationery giant will axe its Old Christchurch Road branch in Bournemouth, Dorset, on Saturday, January 18.
A second site in Winton will close on February 15 next month. This follows the closure of another store in Boscombe earlier in June, reports the Express.
Popular seaside town faces double store closure as Superdrug prepares to shut in weeks(Image: (Image: Getty))
The shutting down of Superdrug in Bournemouth has the town’s residents up in arms, with one disgruntled local branding the move as “ridiculous” and fearing the town is on the path to becoming a “ghost town”.
A dismayed shopper added their two cents, stating that losing Superdrug, which they dubbed “such a good shop”, and WHSmith, “one of the best” for art supplies, is a real shame.
A woman vented her frustration on X, the social media platform once known as Twitter, with the words: “WHSmith and Superdrug are about to close in Bournemouth town centre, but never mind-they’ve opened an Ivy restaurant.”
The Bournemouth branch survived Covid lockdowns but will now close its doors for good(Image: (Image: Getty))
According to Total Guide to Dorset, The Ivy’s recent launch was earmarked as “one of the most anticipated openings” in 2024. This elite London eatery spread its wings to Richmond Hill in late 2024, throwing open its doors after hiring a team of 120 staff members.
Meanwhile, another chic eatery, The Botanist, with its botanical theme, will soon grace Bournemouth along with its revamped sun terrace and al fresco dining area.
Sources claim, as per the Dorset guide, that this new culinary hotspot is only months away from its grand opening, promising to boost the local job market with 80 new roles.