New Look shutting two more stores in UK and says 'everything must go'

The high street fashion retailer will pull down the shutters on its St Austell branch on March 4, while the New Look store in Team Valley Retail World shop will then close on March 9.

New Look is closing two more stores starting next week in a major blow for shoppers. The high street fashion retailer will pull down the shutters on its St Austell branch on March 4, while the New Look store in Team Valley Retail World shop will then close on March 9.

On Facebook, New Look said: “CLOSING DOWN SALE ALERT! It’s time for BIG savings at New Look Team Valley! We’re saying goodbye on March 9th, and everything must go! Tops for just £3! Dresses for only £5! Bottoms for £7!

“And SO MUCH MORE! Hurry in before it’s all gone! Don’t miss out on the biggest bargains of the year! Sale ends March 9th! See you there!” All of New Look’s stores across the Republic of Ireland are being shut for good after temporarily opening for closing-down sales.

The closing-down sales are ongoing, but the exact closure dates will be decided by KPMG ‘in due course’. Just under 350 jobs are affected by the closures, which emerged after the Irish arm of the UK fashion retailer entered liquidation.

The retailer, which first opened shops in the Republic of Ireland in 2003, blamed ‘sustained losses and challenging market conditions’ for the closures across the Republic of Ireland. The move will not impact the division’s parent company in the UK, which will continue to trade through its 344 stores and online website.

A New Look spokesperson said: “Over the past few years, we have had to navigate a tough external environment which has only become more unpredictable. While we have adapted to this evolving landscape by investing in our product proposition and digital offer, the increasingly volatile trading conditions have meant we need to expedite our existing plans.

“Following a review of our operations in the Republic of Ireland, we concluded it was no longer viable to continue trading so had to make the difficult but necessary decision to put the business into liquidation. Our Irish business has struggled for many years due to rising costs and squeezed consumer spending, despite our efforts to turnaround the performance.

“Our focus now is on supporting our colleagues through this process. We remain confident in the UK market and take pride in offering our customers great-value, high-quality fashion.”