A MAJOR high street fashion chain will be closing one of its stores in a matter of days.
has confirmed it is shutting its Bexleyheath store for good on April 19, in the latest blow to the high street.
The retailer is planning to axe nearly 100 locations as it struggles with tax changes announced in the budget.
A massive closing down sale is now on in Bexleyheath and shoppers say they have never seen the store so busy.
A shopper on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group shared an image of racks of sale items.
Most items are now 70% off, with rails of tops selling for £3 and dresses priced at £5.
A New Look spokesperson said: “Our Bexleyheath store is set to close on 19 April.
“We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.
“We hope customers continue to with us online at newlook.com, where our full product ranges can be found.”
Social media users shared their dismay at the shop's closure, with one writing: “Sad for all the staff losing their (my daughter included).”
Another said: “All the ladies are losing there jobs so sad.”
A third person wrote: “I've never seen it so busy it's sad.”
Bexleyheath is the latest New Look location to close this year, after two branches shut last month.
The site in St Austell and Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, closed down on March 9.
Meanwhile the St Austell branch in shut permanently on March 4.
In February, the retailer's branch in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf closed.
And January saw the closures of stores in Loughborough, Wickford and Bracknell.
Roughly a quarter of the ‘s more than 360 stores had been at risk when their leases expire.
This equates to about 90 stores, impacting New Look's 8,000-strong workforce significantly.
New Look has already cut its stores substantially.
Back in 2018, it had about 600 stores across the UK.
It's also wound down its operations in , announcing it would shut all 26 stores across the country.
The move has affected 347 jobs.
It's understood the latest drive to accelerate shop closures and sales is driven by the recent increase in National contributions for employers.
The increase was announced by Chancellor in October and retailers had warned they would be hit hard by the change.
The predicted it would create a £2.3billion bill for the sector.
A New Look spokesperson said previously: “Our store estate is an important part of our , alongside our best-in-class website and app.
“We have recently invested over £3million in our stores in Greater to trial new omnichannel initiatives to improve customer experience.
“We also continue to invest in our thriving online platform which has resulted in a strong online sales performance, with volumes significantly outpacing last year and an improved online margin.
“On occasion we do have to close stores, either due to the landlord’s request or because the site becomes unviable.
“However, we always remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country and continue to invest in our existing store estate.”
