A branch of trade tools chain Screwfix is to close at Botley Road Retail Park in Oxfordshire, the DIY retailer and homeware giant has announced.
A DIY retailer closing a UK store for good this week in a huge blow for shoppers. A branch of trade tools chain Screwfix is to close at Botley Road Retail Park in Oxfordshire, the DIY retailer and homeware giant has announced.
A sign on the door of the store in Botley Road says it will close on Monday, March 10, and directs customers to other stores nearby. A manager at the store said the closure of the Botley Road at the rail bridge in 2023 had led to a significant reduction in footfall.
He added: “This Screwfix has been here since 2018. Since the Botley Road closure, our trade has been massively affected. Footfall has reduced from about 220 customers a day to 130-150 customers a day so that’s quite a reduction.
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“We used to have a big rush on Sundays at about 4pm with customers stopping off after coming back from the city centre but that stopped after the road closed.
“The university is buying the retail park, so other businesses will also close eventually but the Botley Road closure has speeded up out decision because we don’t know when we will be in a position to build up our trade again.”
A spokesman for Screwfix said: “The Screwfix – Oxford, Botley Road store will be permanently closed from Monday, March 10 due to a planned redevelopment of the site. The last trading day will be Sunday, March 9. All impacted colleagues have had the opportunity to relocate to an alternative Screwfix store in the area.
“Customers can continue to shop locally at Screwfix Oxford – Cowley, Kidlington and Abingdon. There are currently no plans in place to close any other stores in Oxfordshire.”
Last month, buildings supplies business Blanchford, which had been running for more than 75 years in Oxfordshire, closed all four of its branches for good. Its headquarters were in Headington.
