Sports Direct will be closing its store located in the White Rose Shopping Centre in Rhyl this winter. A shopper, Amy Jones, has initiated an online petition to protest the closure and keep the store operational. The closure, scheduled for October, was confirmed by NorthWalesLive. Sports Direct, which is part of the Frasers Group founded by billionaire retailer Mike Ashley, has approximately 500 stores across the UK.
Amy Jones emphasized the significance of the Sports Direct store in Rhyl, stating that it plays a vital role within the community by not only offering a shopping destination but also creating job opportunities and supporting local sports enthusiasts. She expressed concerns that the closure would have adverse effects on the local economy and community well-being.
In a related development, another shopper on Facebook lamented the increasing number of store closures in Rhyl, expressing fear that the town might become deserted. This decision follows the closure of other Sports Direct stores in various locations, including Cambridge, Coventry, Stroud, Gloucestershire, and High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, in recent times.
Poundland, another retail chain, has announced the closure of 25 stores in August as part of its restructuring plan after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1. The company had previously disclosed the closure of 68 stores. Poundland will close ten stores on August 10 and an additional 15 stores on August 17. The remaining 40 stores earmarked for closure are expected to shut down by mid-October, reducing Poundland’s store estate to between 650 and 700 from its current count of around 800 stores.
Poundland also revealed plans to close its distribution center in Darton, South Yorkshire, and its national distribution center in Bilston, West Midlands, in early 2026.