Full list of 10 Original Factory Shop stores shutting in DAYS as closing down sales launched
A DISCOUNT high street chain is closing a total of 10 shops over the coming weeks - and huge closing down sales have been launched.
The Sun has been reporting on a series of store closures by The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) and can now confirm there are even more sites shutting for good.
TOFS previously warned it would have to shut some "loss-making" locations after struggling in recent years.
Eight closures were known of before but we can reveal a further two are shutting next month, taking the total to 10.
The stores in Chester-le-Street in County Durham and in Perth, Scotland, are both shutting on June 28.
Among the other locations closing for good are Shaftesbury, Staveley, Arbroath, Milford Haven and Peterhead.
Read more on store closures
The Chester-le-Street store announced its closure in a Facebook post, saying the "rumours were true" and it was shutting "with great sadness".
"It's been a pleasure bringing you all the great deals over the last 2 years,getting to know our regulars," it said.
Commenters appeared devastated, with one person writing: "Absolutely gutted. I get loads of stuff in there. So sad about this."
Another said: "I love this shop and the staff are amazing. So sorry for you all."
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Before it disappears from the high street, the store is holding a clearance sale with discounts of up to 30% off.
It told shoppers to "come grab yourselves some bargains" but asked them to be "respectful" to the staff as they are "devastated" by the closure.
The Perth store also posted an announcement on Facebook, saying it hoped shoppers would "pop in to see us before we close".
"We have loved serving you and being part of the community over the last 18 months," it said.
The store is currently holding a 30% off closing down sale, with items including clothes, garden essentials and electricals all discounted.
The Sun has reached out to TOFS for comment on the latest closure announcements.
There are now 10 TOFS locations closing in the coming weeks.
The full list of stores closing
Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - June 26
Perth - June 28
Chester Le Street, County Durham - June 28
Arbroath, Angus - June 28
Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire - June 28
Pershore, Worcestershire - June 28
Normanton, West Yorkshire - June 28
Peterhead, Aberdeenshire - June 28
Shaftesbury, Dorset - June 28
Staveley, Cumbria - July 12
The first to close is Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire on June 26.
Eight shops are closing on June 28, while Staveley in Cumbria is shutting for good on July 12.
The Nairn store is listed as up for sale, but TOFS has told The Sun that negotiations are ongoing with the landlord.
Therefore it is unclear whether the shop will remain open.
Meanwhile the Cupar store said in March it was negotiating with its landlord over an extended lease, meaning it could possibly be at risk.
The Sun has put this to TOFS.
What's been happening with The Original Factory Shop?
Private equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February and has since launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores.
Modella is known for picking up struggling retailers, having also recently acquired Hobbycraft and WHSmith's high street shops.
It is set to rebrand all WHSmith high street stores to TGJones, and has brought in advisers to look at potential options for Hobbycraft.
At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS.
Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business.
They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords.
TOFS previously told The Press and Journal that a "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the restructuring.
It said at the time: "Closing stores is always a tough decision and we are committed to keeping as many stores open as possible.
"This is, however, dependent on successful negotiations with landlords as we strive to build a sustainable and successful business for the future."
The Original Factory shop has already shuttered more than a dozen stores over the past 12 months.
Read More on The Sun
These are the locations that closed in 2024:
Brightlingsea, Essex
Bodmin, Cornwall
Chepstow, Wales
Fakenham, Norfolk
Harwich, Essex
Mildenhall, Suffolk
Padiham, Lancashire
Taunton, Somerset
Deal, Kent
Haverfordwest, Wales.
