The high street retailer has announced the permanent closure of one of its flagship outlets in South Wales, with the shutdown scheduled for later this month.
According to recent data, the company operates more than 220 traditional outlets and 310 food halls throughout Britain, with additional locations set to launch before the current financial period concludes.
Earlier statements from the business indicated intentions to grow its food hall network to approximately 420 branches by the conclusion of 2028, whilst simultaneously cutting traditional store numbers down to 180.
The company shut its sole outlet in Cwmbran during September 2025, before declaring the following month that its Friars Walk location would cease trading in June. The chain also disclosed earlier this year plans to shut its central Swansea branch.
The Oxford Street branch will serve customers for the last time on Saturday, May 30, the company has confirmed.
It was previously disclosed that the shutdown, placing 92 positions in jeopardy, stems from logistical and operational challenges demanding substantial capital expenditure alongside prolonged poor trading performance at the premises.
A company representative explained that the Swansea city centre branch would shut its doors on May 30, describing the move as part of broader strategies to reconfigure the store network to enable investment in branches more aligned with customer requirements. The company stated it would continue serving Swansea customers via neighbouring outlets and digital platforms, while engaging with the local authority and community stakeholders to identify potential future sites within the city.
The leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart, described the closure announcement as profoundly discouraging, yet emphasised the council’s dedication to collaborating with the retailer to find alternative premises.
In a social media statement, Mr Stewart expressed deep regret about the company’s decision to proceed with closure before securing a replacement location within Swansea. He noted that the preferred outcome, beyond keeping the current branch operational, would have been ensuring a new outlet was available for staff and shoppers to transition to without interruption to business or employment. The council would persist in working with the retailer to secure a new site as centrally located as possible.
For patrons of the brand, there is some positive news, as the company has identified 14 potential locations across South Wales for development, encompassing Cwmbran, Monmouth, and Penarth among others. The chain has announced 500 potential sites across Britain for new food hall developments.
The company indicated it is pursuing branches offering appropriate dimensions in suitable areas as it seeks to double the scale of its food operations and modernise its property portfolio. Plans include expanding food hall sizes to accommodate an increased product range and draw greater numbers of weekly shoppers.
The performance of recently opened food halls over the past three years has been described as outstanding, providing momentum for this expansion strategy.
Stores would adhere to the updated format, incorporating an expanded food selection, broader aisles accommodating larger trolleys, and enhanced parking facilities for families.
The company has also outlined targets for more than half of its current branches, including convenience locations, to operate under the refreshed format by April 2028.
The chain specified criteria for potential new branches, requiring a minimum floor area of 21,500 square feet, positioning in a prominent and easily visible position, dedicated parking accommodating at least 150 vehicles, proximity to main transport routes with straightforward access, locations at the periphery of town centres or outside urban areas, sites spanning at least two acres, freehold ownership preferred though leasehold arrangements would be considered, and interest in existing commercial premises.