Clarks confirms permanent closure of Alnwick shoe shop

While the retailer reopened many of its stores across the country on Monday, the unit on Bondgate Within remains empty.

A notice in the window informed customers of the news.

“Loss of a respected multi-national brand like Clarks is bad news for the town as it tries to recover customers after lockdown,” admitted Coun Gordon Castle, Alnwick ward member on Northumberland County Council.

“I’m surprised that the business was not successful in Alnwick as shoes tend to be items that need trying on in person rather than risky online ordering.

“Bondgate Within is an important shopping street in Alnwick and I’m very hopeful that this premises won’t stay empty long.”

Clarks has been in Alnwick since 1991.

It is one of a small number of its 347-store estate not reopening following a review on how to best survive the coronavirus pandemic.

Matthew Eliot, Clarks UK franchise business owner, said: “After trading in Alnwick for the last 29 years, we have made the difficult decision not to renew the lease on our property.

“As a result the store will not re-open, following its temporary closure during the coronavirus outbreak.

“John Eliot (Footwear) Ltd is a committed partner of the Clarks brand and committed to Northumberland.

“We, and other franchise partners, work with Clarks to continually review all Clarks stores to ensure that they are the right size and located in the right areas in order to provide the best possible offering and environment on the high street to its customers.

“As part of a recent review, we are pleased to announce that we have agreed to take over the running of the Clarks store in Hexham.

“We would like to thank all our customers who have supported us and all the colleagues we have worked with at our Alnwick store, both past and present.

“Customers can continue to shop from the full range of Clarks products online and at our nearby stores in Berwick and Morpeth.”

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