Shoppers have been left gutted as New Look, based at the Willows Shopping Centre in Wickford, is closing for good.
Bosses confirmed the closure, which has been branded a blow to the High Street by devastated residents, is “at the landlord’s request”.
Heartbroken – Shoppers were sad to hear the news (Image: Michael Robinson)
Wickford resident Lorraine Roberts, 68, said: “It’s very sad, I will miss it. I often shop in there, I look forward to coming here and shopping.
“I bought a lot of Christmas presents there just this year. It will leave a big hole in Wickford.
“I fear the area will become very dead. Where are the staff going to go? I think people come down for Boots but if these types of shops are not there, that will be it.” Will be missed – Shoppers have lamented the closure of the store (Image: Michael Robinson)
Another resident, Katie Harper, 30, from Wickford, fears with the closure of this store and Superdrug before it there will be nothing left for shoppers of her age.
She said: “It depends what it’s replaced with I suppose, if they are going to make room for better shops, it could be good.
“It’s very sad to hear. I’m not sure what it means for the area, it’s one of the shops I go to if I come down here.
“If it has to go, I would like to see another clothes shop take its place.”
New Look, founded in 1969, is a British global fashion retailer with a chain of high street shops. It sells womenswear, menswear, and clothing for teens.
Another shopper, Elaine, 65, from Wickford, added: “My granddaughter will be devastated, she loves it. I’m really disappointed to hear it will be closing down.
“There will be nothing left in Wickford soon.”
New Look has thanked its customers for their support over the years and urged shoppers to visit its nearest store at Basildon’s Eastgate.
A New Look spokesman said: “Our Wickford store is set to close on January 24 at the landlord’s request. We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.
“We hope customers continue to shop with us at our nearby Basildon store, whilst our full product ranges can also be found at newlook.com.”