KIDDERMINSTER shoppers have expressed their sadness after it was revealed The Entertainer in the Swan Centre would be closing.
The toy chain expressed considerable regret it could not keep its store in the town open, but concluded it was not financially viable to do so.
Rumours of a potential closure circulated on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon, with many people online expressing their disappointment and concern at the closure.
Bosses have now revealed the store will close on Saturday, February 7.
A spokesperson at The Entertainer told the Standard: “We are particularly upset at the impact this has on our colleagues, who have run the store brilliantly.
“Sadly, it is a fact of retail life that shops sometimes have to close, as shopping patterns shift and cost growth outstrips sales increases.
“We remain committed to serving the people of Kidderminster through our popular toy concessions in select local Tesco stores, as well as nearby The Entertainer stores at Merry Hill Shopping Centre and in Worcester city centre.”
The Entertainer, which sells toys and games suitable for many different age groups, first opened in The Swan back in February 2019.
Many shoppers took to social media to react to the news. One said the closure was ‘horrible’ and ‘so sad’.
She added: “The Entertainer is such a lovely store for children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews.”
Another shopper said: “That’s a shame, I always head there for my children’s birthdays and Christmas. It had good stock for such a small shop, and the prices were always decent.”
Others expressed concern with the state of retail in Kidderminster more generally.
One said: “It feels like there’s nothing here anymore. It’s sad. I don’t even bother going to the town. I go to Merry Hill instead.”
Another said that closures like this were happening across the country, not just Kidderminster, and felt online shopping was hampering in-person stores.
- WHAT do you think about Kidderminster town centre as a shopping destination? What shops have closed that you miss? What shops would you like to see come to the town? Email: [email protected] with your views.
