SHOPPERS have been left gutted as a popular branch of a high street stationary store is due to close its doors for good within weeks.
The bright and bubbly stationery brand, known for its rainbow-coloured pens, lunch boxes and backpacks, is set to close its Eastgate Shopping Centre store in .
A staff member at the store told Flying Eze that the branch is due to close its doors for good on May 21.
Shoppers say they’re “sad”; to see the branch go, with parents and children flocking in to snap up final bargains as everything in store is now on sale at 50% off.
It is understood that the shop is closing because its lease has expired and Smiggle has chosen not to renew it.
A worker told the Press and Journal: “We may close earlier if everything is sold out before then.
“Looking at how many people have been coming, this may happen.”;
The closure is the latest blow for Inverness’s high street, with shoppers saying rising rent and business rates are to blame.
Smiggle – which launched in in 2003 – arrived in the UK in 2014 and quickly became a favourite among school-age kids thanks to its fun, colourful ranges.
The major stationary retailer currently has 107 branches in the UK.
Its shops, though small, are packed with eye-catching products including notebooks, pencil cases, water bottles, lunch boxes, diaries and even headphones and speakers.
The Inverness branch has been open for several years and was a firm favourite for families, especially during the back-to-school season.
The comes just days after a beloved toy and bike store announced its in business.
The 84-year-old owner revealed that the cost of living crisis has led to a reduction in sales and to the costs of running the business skyrocketing.
Both independent and industry giants have been struggling with rising costs and reduced footfall over the past few years.
Dozens of shops are set to close across the country before the end of the month in the latest blow to UK high streets.
Just a couple of months in to 2025 and it's already proving to be another
Rising living costs – which mean shoppers have less cash to burn – and an increase in online shopping has battered in recent years.
In some cases, landlords are either unwilling or unable to invest in keeping shops open, further speeding up the closures.
Smiggle isn't the only stationary shop shutting its doors, this month.
The huge sports retailer, Sports Directis axing its Newmarket Road store inon April 18.
Whilst, Red Menswear in Chatham in Medway, , , after selling men's clothing since 1999.
Last month, Essential Vintage told followers on social that it would after they had been “priced out” because of bigger players in the market such as .
brand Beaverbrooks is also early this month.
bosses made the decision to axe nearly 100 branches as they battle challenges linked to tax changes.
Approximately a quarter of the retailer's 364 stores are .
This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on New Look's 8,000-strong workforce.
It's understood the latest drive to accelerate closures is driven by the upcoming increase in National contributions for employers.
