A HIGH street clothing chain with 80 stores across the country is set to shut one of its branches in just days.
JoJo Maman Bébé in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, will close for good on March 1.
The popular maternity store is loved by parents and babies – but a sudden sign informing shoppers of the closure has left them devastated.
However, a sign informing customers of the shock closure has appeared in the shop window on Oxford street.
It read: “Our Harrogate store will close on Saturday 1st March.
“We’d like to thank our incredible team and our many local customers who have supported us throughout the years.
“We hope you can continue to visit us at your nearest local stores in Ilkley, York and Fox Valley or shop online.”
A spokesperson has also confirmed the closure to the Press.
They said: “Unfortunately the Harrogate store is due to close.
“We are dedicated to supporting our employees through this transition and will provide assistance and resources to those affected.
“These plans do not affect our York store which will continue trading as normal.”
The York branch is at 81 Low Petergate and other nearby stores are in Sheffield and Ilkley.
Devastated shoppers have taken to social media to air their frustrations.
Many shoppers recalled the time they bought maternity wear from the branch.
One shopper said: “Really, really sorry to see this shop go. From getting my first maternity jeans to tiny babygrows, through to toys and potties, the sales assistants have been kind, knowledgeable and supportive.
“They remember our little one and are always lovely to her. Wishing the staff well. You’ll be missed.”
Followed by a second: “Such sad news. It’s been there 18 years. Same age as my first child. Happy memories shopping in there.”
Meanwhile a third said: “Wow! That was one of only places left to buy maternity clothes!”
And then a fourth said: “Love this shop – bought so much for my boys when they were tiny and gifts for family and friends since.
“All of the ladies remember mine as babies (they’re now 11 and 13). Such a shame.”
And lastly a fifth said: “Aww no this is so sad it is a beautiful shop.”
It comes after the boutique closed a branch in Bancroft, Hitchin in July, 2024.
Shoppers flocked to social media to vent their sadness.
One Facebook user said: “Rent is just too high in Hitchin. Such a shame. It will end up completely destroying the high street.”
Another cried: “It’s very sad another shop closed in Hitchin I think the council ought to reconsider their rent to shops before it becomes a ghost high street.”
A notice left on the store window from staff read: “The time has come to say goodbye. This store has now closed.
“We’d like to thank our incredible team and our many loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years.
“We hope you can continue to visit us at your nearest local stores in St Albans, Berkhamsted and Amersham or shop online at www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk.”
They also wrote a heartfelt poem to all their loyal shoppers, as reported by The Comet.
It read: “To loyal customers of this store.
“We’re sorry, we will be no more.
“We’ve been with you, every day.
“From bump to baby along the way.
“Expectant parents showing us scans.
“Excited grandparents making plans
“All our families big or small
“It’s been a pleasure to serve you all.
“Lots of little girls and boys
“We’ve kitted out with clothes and toys
“We’re really going to miss you all.”
Why are retailers closing stores?
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
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.”
It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.
Professor Bamfield has 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.”
