Primark and Poundland are preparing to shut stores in Kent this week, dealing a blow to two town centres.
The clothing giant will close its branch at Orchards Shopping Centre in Dartford on Saturday, while the discount chain will do the same in Preston Street, Faversham, on Tuesday.
Primark is leaving Dartford town centre this week
Primark bosses made the decision last year due to “extensive” repair work needed on the unit, which employs 53 staff.
The move will mark the brand’s first branch closure in more than a decade.
Nearby stores at Bluewater shopping centre in Greenhithe and The Broadway in Bexleyheath will remain open.
Last month, Philippa Nibbs, Primark’s director of sales in the south and south east, said the closure was a “difficult decision”.
“It was informed by the extensive repair work required to the building, which given the close proximity to two other Primark stores, is just not viable,” she said.
“We understand this news will be disappointing…”
“We’re pleased that more than half of our colleagues will be taking up roles in nearby stores and for those colleagues leaving the business, we are focused on supporting them.
“We understand this news will be disappointing for our local customers and we are grateful for the support of our customers and the Dartford community over the years.”
Meanwhile, closing down signs appeared at Faversham’s Poundland store in November – just two years after the branch opened.
The discounter has suffered from pressure on shoppers this year, with stores closing in Broadstairs, Deal, Rainham, Swanley, Tunbridge Wells, Hempstead Valley shopping centre and Gravesend.
Poundland in Faversham will close on Tuesday
In June, the company was sold for £1 and launched a major restructuring plan.
This involved the initial closure of 57 stores in a move which put more than 1,000 jobs at risk.
The company was bought by investment firm Gordon Brothers and has since announced further tranches of closures – including the Faversham store – as part of efforts to trim its estate from about 800 sites to between 650 and 700 shops.
The company filled the town’s former M&Co building in Preston Street in December 2023.