Beloved UK purse chain closing retailers after 80 years – ‘huge sale ahead’ | UK | News | EUROtoday

A much-loved British retailer has introduced the closure of three shops after greater than 80 years in enterprise, with a significant clearance sale now underneath manner. Lakeland Leather, which was based in Cumbria in 1955, has confirmed it’ll shut branches in Carlisle, Gretna and Kendal following a long time of buying and selling within the area.

The firm, recognized for its personal vary of leather-based purses, jackets and sheepskin items, grew from its Lake District roots right into a nationwide excessive road identify. The closures come as conventional retailers proceed to grapple with rising working prices and shifting client habits.

Like many established manufacturers, Lakeland Leather has confronted mounting strain from on-line buying and quick trend rivals, alongside decreased footfall on the town centres.

The Carlisle retailer’s lease expired in January, and the enterprise has opted to not renew it, triggering a big sale throughout the remaining inventory. Shoppers have been instructed to anticipate substantial reductions because the department winds down operations.

Felldale Retail, which operates shops on behalf of Lakeland Leather, described the transfer as a “difficult decision” taken in response to an more and more difficult buying and selling atmosphere.

“Like many retailers, we are operating within an increasingly challenging trading environment, with rising costs and lower footfall continuing to impact parts of the high street,” a spokesperson mentioned.

“We have taken the difficult decision to close our stores in Carlisle, Gretna and Kendal due to lease expiry.”

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The firm pressured that no agency closure date has but been set and that discussions with employees are ongoing. It added that it’s consulting workers on options to closure and exploring potential value reductions with landlords and different stakeholders to assist save shops.

Lakeland Leather mentioned it recognises that is “a sensitive time” for workers and expressed hope that some employees members might be able to relocate to close by branches in Keswick, Bowness or Ambleside.

The retailer mentioned it’s dedicated to supporting affected groups via the transition.

Despite the shop closures, the broader enterprise stays worthwhile. According to Felldale Retail, Lakeland Leather elevated gross sales by greater than 7% final yr.

Digital efficiency has been notably robust, with on-line gross sales now accounting for almost all of group income and delivering greater than 20 per cent progress for a 3rd consecutive yr.