Boots, the retail giant, is closing 300 stores across the country, with some shutting within a few weeks and others following in the new year. This move will reduce the total number of Boots stores from 2,200 to 1,900.
Eight stores are set to close before Christmas, while the rest will close after the festive period. Boots is merging stores in close proximity to each other. A list of stores set to close, along with their locations and closing dates, has been provided by the retailer.
The company has also offered alternative roles to impacted staff. This decision reflects ongoing challenges in the high street retail sector, with concerns about its decline persisting.
Numerous other retailers have also closed stores, and over 4,200 retail jobs have been cut since 2010. The GMB Union is calling for government intervention to support affected communities and workers and to reform the business rates system.