South Shields to lose another high street retailer as Bonmarche announces closing down sale

Signs advertising a closing down sale have gone up in the window of the womenswear store on King Street in South Shields.

It comes after the retailer announced that it had collapsed into administration in October, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

It is the second time the company has fallen into administration in the last seven years, after struggling with rising costs and lack of custom from high street shoppers.

At the time, the brand, which employs 2,887 staff including 200 staff at its head office, said it would continue to trade with no immediate job losses, while it assessed the options for the company’s future.

However, it was later announced that it would close 30 of its under-performing stores across the UK in the run up to Christmas.

Now it seems the South Shields shop is one of those to fall victim.

King Street has lost a number of household names this year alone, including the closure of travel company TUI which shut up shop permanently on Wednesday, December 18.

Neighbouring store, the jewellers H Samuel also closed down in October, following the likes of Vision Express and Burton Menswear which closed earlier this year.

South Shields is currently in the midst of its 365 regeneration programme to transform the town centre and is in the running for a slice of £675 million government funding to help UK high streets.

Bonmarche has been approached for comment.