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Hobbycraft store closures
Hobbycraft confirms nine more closures as part of its restructuring while launching sales at branches.
Hobbycraft confirms nine additional closures as part of a restructuring while launching big sales at various branches.
Hobbycraft shuts nine stores as sales kick off across the UK
Hobbycraft has confirmed nine further store closures this month and in September as part of a restructuring plan. The closures include Bromborough, Stratford-upon-Avon and Southport and come after nine loss-making stores were closed in June. The company says the moves will help it keep 99 stores and 1,800 jobs. Closing stores are a last resort, with some branches already running closing-down sales and a store locator available for customers to find the nearest open branch. Earlier this year Hobbycraft announced a strategic review of the business and closed several loss-making sites as part of that process.
The wider picture shows a high street under pressure. Retail sites are shrinking as online shopping grows and landlords renegotiate rents. The Centre for Retail Research has warned that tens of thousands of retail jobs could be at risk and that 17,350 UK retail sites could shut in 2025. Hobbycraft notes the changes are designed to safeguard the business for the long term, aiming to protect the remaining network and jobs.
Key Takeaways
"Very sadly, the strength of our offering has not made us immune from the challenges faced by the retail sector in recent years."
CEO comment on sector pressures
"Closing stores is always a last resort and this has been an extremely difficult decision."
CEO explaining closures
"Making these changes is sadly a necessary action to enable us to keep our doors open to crafters up and down the country."
Reason for restructuring
"The restructuring plan will secure the future of at least 99 stores and 1,800 jobs."
Outlook of plan
The closures illustrate a practical recalibration rather than an exit from physical retail. By trimming weaker locations and pushing to renegotiate costs, Hobbycraft hopes to preserve a core footprint and remain accessible to customers who value hands on crafting. The challenge now is to balance rents with demand and ensure the remaining stores bring in enough revenue to justify their continued presence. The broader sector still faces a tough road as online shopping grows and consumer habits shift.
For communities, each closed store means less local access to crafts and a loss of local jobs. The risk is further closures if rents stay high or consumer confidence wavers. Yet if landlords agree to fairer terms and shoppers stay engaged, a leaner network could still serve as a sustainable model for the future.
Highlights
- Hard decisions guard the future of our towns
- The high street is learning to adapt in real time
- Rent talks will decide the next chapter for many stores
- Shoppers deserve a clear path to where to shop next
Budget and rent pressures drive UK store closures
The Hobbycraft closures highlight ongoing budget constraints and rent negotiations in the retail sector. As chains shrink to stabilize finances, concerns grow about local job losses and the resilience of town centers.
The next months will reveal how many jobs survive and whether more closures follow.
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