Mothercare to disappear from high street on Sunday after 59 years

11 January 2020, 16:32

By Nick Hardinges

@NHardinges

Mothercare will disappear from UK high streets on Sunday after 59 years in the retail industry.

The collapsed retailer will see all 79 of its stores closed by Sunday, with 2,500 jobs set to be lost across the country.

After almost six decades on the high street, Mothercare went into administration last year as it struggled to compete with online shopping.

The health, beauty and baby product chain has slashed prices on its products since the start of December.

For example, a £334.95 baby Stroller is now selling at £69.99, with an antique wardrobe that initially sold for £270 dropping by 70 per cent to £81.00.

Access to the company's website has been stopped, but customers were urged to visit their nearest store for up to 80 per cent off on other selected items.

Of the 79 stores, 37 remained open on Saturday.

In May 2018, the retailer secured a Company Voluntary Arrangement restructuring deal which it said would lead to the closure of just 50 stores and affect 800 jobs.

But rent prices and cheaper competitors drove Mothercare into the ground, forcing the parent business to announce in November 2019 that it would file a notice to appoint administrators as it could no longer "satisfy the cash needs" to keep it afloat.

Business owner and activist Gina Miller took to Twitter to reinforce the importance of the high streets.

"A little emotional about Mothercare disappearing tomorrow. Fond memories having shopped there for all 3 of my children," she said.

"Also loved the Early Learning centres. Staff were always knowledgeable and helpful. Thoughts with them. We must support our highstreets."

One worker wrote on social media: "So that’s it! After 10 years with Mothercare I’m officially redundant! It’s been an absolute blast! Now it’s time time to concentrate on being the best mummy for Violet!!"

Elsewhere, Debenhams also confirmed 19 of its 160 UK chains would be shutting their doors for the last time between 11 and 19 January.

A spokesman for the chain said that 660 job losses are expected.

The struggling clothing department store entered administration in April 2019 in a bid to reduce its debt and start a major restructuring process.

It confirmed last year that following the January store closures, further branches are expected to shut down in 2021 to bring it to a total of 50.

But details of the locations and when exactly this will happen have not been disclosed.

Here is the full list of Debenham stores shutting down and the dates they are due to close:

- Altrincham, Greater Manchester - January 11
- Birmingham, The Fort - January 11
- Kirkcaldy, Fife - January 11
- Walton-on-Thames, Surrey - January 11
- Wandsworth, London - January 11
- Wolverhampton - January 11
- Chatham, Kent - January 15
- Great Yarmouth, Norfolk - January 15
- Slough, Berkshire - January 15
- Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham - January 15
- Welwyn, Herfordshire - January 15
- Witney, Oxfordshire - January 15
- Ashford, Kent - January 19
- Canterbury, Kent - January 19
- Eastbourne, East Sussex - January 19
- Folkestone, Kent - January 19
- Southport, Merseyside - January 19
- Southsea, Portsmouth - January 19
- Wimbledon, London - January 19