New Look announces closure of store in Dorset

The retailer says it is not leaving through choice but is being ejected from its New Bond Street premises by the landlord. The branch is to close in February.

Shoppers in Weymouth town centre have been left reeling by the news - describing it as "tragic" - while both the Mayor of Weymouth and the chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce have voiced hopes that the chain could return to the town at another site.

Part of the fabric of the town, New Look opened its first store in St Mary Street 51 years ago, before moving to its current premises. The chain also has headquarters at Mercery Road and is a major local employer. 

New Look's Weymouth head office at Mercery Road

The announcement comes after clothing and accessories chain Monsoon pulled out of its New Bond Street branch earlier this month and leaves shoppers with just a handful of options in Weymouth when it comes to high street fashion brands.

It comes just days after the fashion chain confirmed they are closing their Bournemouth town centre store 

Confirming the sad news, a New Look spokesperson said: “Regrettably the New Look store in Weymouth will be closing in February after the landlord decided to exit the lease early.

"Whilst it was therefore not our decision to close the store, we are focusing on supporting our store colleagues and where possible finding alternative roles for them within the business.”

Break clause triggered

New Look’s landlords across the country were given more scope to end its leases when the chain sought a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to reduce its debts in 2020.

The CVA, which cut New Look’s debts from around £550million to £100m, included “enhanced landlord breaks”, allowing landlords to end leases “if they believe they can identify an alternative tenant on improved terms.”

New Look is a Weymouth institution but will disappear from the town centre in a matter of weeks

Weymouth mayor Colin Huckle is unimpressed by the landlords' decision, however.

 "It is very disappointing that such an important local company will no longer have a presence in the town centre, and that the landlord does not appear to be prepared to negotiate," he said, adding that it is a "sad day" for staff, whom he hopes can be deployed elsewhere within the business.

Cllr Huckle said that while Weymouth has a good selection of independent retailers, it is concerning that those on tighter budgets have limited options when it comes to ladies' fashion - driving shoppers out of the town.

'A tragedy'

Echoing those concerns, shoppers in Weymouth town centre reacted with shock and disappointment to the news. Local resident Elaine said the high street is "looking very sad" due to the number of empty shops.

"Most of the shops that are closing are ladies fashion - I don’t think you’ll be able to come down here and get anything," she said. "We have got the little local shops, but for somewhat larger ladies they’re not suitable. I think it’s tragic - it’s very poor show - Weymouth’s not just for tourists, it’s for locals too. It’s a shame."

Mary O’Donnell, also from Weymouth, thinks it is a "terrible" blow. "I love shopping in New Look because they do clothes for everybody of every age group," she said. “Especially with their head office here, I’m surprised. I would quite like to see some more well-known branches here, like a Primark.”

Mother and daughter Rosie and Grace Lawlor were sad to hear the news that Weymouth’s high street would be losing another store.

Shoppers say New Look will be missed

Grace said: “Its headquarters are here - if they can’t keep their shop in their hometown – what’s that saying about the market?

Rosie added: “I think it’s pretty poor really.

"New Look’s also known as a more affordable place to shop - and with a lot of people on a low income in Weymouth it’s good to have those sorts of places.

“I think if they can fill it with more retail units that would be good, it will drive more people into the town, but I worry it will just be another empty lot.”

Part of the fabric of the town

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “It is very sad that the New Look store in Weymouth is due to close.

“New Look is one of the most recognisable names on the high street and obviously has been part of the fabric of the town over many years.

“I hope that a New Look store is able to return to Weymouth town centre before too long and that its former premises do not remain vacant for any significant amount of time.”

The first New Look shop at St Mary Street was founded in 1971 by Mr Singh and his wife, with offices above the premises.

New Look founder Tom Singh and Customer and Multi-Channel MD Guy Lister at the firm's new premises in 2013

During the 1990s the chain opened a 915 branch on the corner of Bond Street and St Thomas Street, stocking clothes for younger shoppers. The 915 ranges were amalgamated when New Look moved into its current New Bond Street premises - which also stocks plus-size ranges, shoes and accessories over two floors.

• READ MORE: Tributes to father of New Look founder who played pivotal role in firm's development
• READ MORE: New Look boss 'gloomy' about future of high street

The sad news of its closure follows a similar announcement on Wednesday as New Look revealed it is to close its central Bournemouth branch - also due to its landlords terminating the lease, the retailer said.

The Dorset Echo has asked New Look to confirm whether the Dorchester branch is also affected.