A POPULAR clothing store is set to shut after 15 years, with a 60 per cent closing down sale already launched for shoppers.
The beloved boutique started life as a tiny stall – before expanding to a bricks-and-mortar site.
The Loft in Leyland, Lancashire, will close this month[/caption]
But bosses confirmed last week that The Loft in Leyland, Lancashire, would be closing for good next month.
They insisted, however, that the news is cause for celebration – as it marks owner Jill’s entry into retirement.
Taking to Facebook, Jill wrote: “It is with a HAPPY heart that we announce the closure of The Loft.
“After 15 amazing years of trading, it is time to hang up the wooden hangers and retire.”
She added that customers can enjoy 60 per cent off all stock until closing time – at the end of next month.
Turning to loyal fans of the business, Jill signed off: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers past and present.
“From a tiny table in Heskin to our bricks and mortar in Leyland.”
The post was flooded with disappointed customers, with one saying: “I didn’t see that coming.”
Another asked: “Where will I buy those brands now?”
Meanwhile, swathes of fans commented to wish Jill a happy retirement.
One said: “Enjoy your well earned and much deserved retirement and family time now Gill, however, who’s going to dress me now!”
And another echoed: “Ahhh happy retirement Gill & congratulations on all you’ve achieved with your fabulous little shop.”
Jill started selling gloves and scarves from a little table in a countryside barn in 2010.
From these humble beginnings, The Loft was born – selling a range of clothing, accessories and footwear for both men and women.
It comes after another beloved store, Party Planet in Lincoln, was also forced to close after 27 years.
It, too, launched a huge closing down sale – with 50 per cent off on the final day.
Bosses said: “It is with great sadness that we write this. This coming Tuesday, 25th February 2025 will be our last day of trading after 27 wonderful years.
“We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our customers for your support over the years, many of you even becoming friends.”
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
A 60 per cent closing down sale was launched at the store[/caption]
