Shoe Zone in Barrow closing down

Shoe Zone in Dalton Road is closing down, according to signs on the outside of the shop.

It follows a number of other chains to leave the town in the last few years.

The closure comes despite the discount chain reporting a rise in sales this year.

Several national chains have departed the high street recently as well independent stores.

So Silver in the ginnel between Portland Walk and Dalton Road in Barrow will be shutting its doors after 17 years in business.

Barrow born and bred So Silver owner Chrissy Haughin has been at the helm of the store since November 2010.

Barrow Council gave the business a six-month move-out notice as part of the Government-backed scheme to regenerate the town centre.

Brighthouse, Debenhams, M&S and Carphone Warehouse are among the national retailers to have shut up shop in the town.

Shoe Zone, which has not responded to requests for comments about the store's closure, recently reported a big rise in sales this year.

Sales rose 31.2 per cent in the year to October 1, with the key Back to School period helping boost performance, the chain said.

The retailer said it expected its adjusted pre-tax profit to not be less than £11 million, an increase on last year's £9.5 million.

Group sales increased to £156.2 million compared to the £88.5 million made in the 36 weeks of the previous year in which stores were allowed to open during Covid restrictions.

Online sales for the year fell by 13.6 per cent to £26.4 million, as they returned to more normal levels following the pandemic.

The manager of Barrow's Business Improvement District, Paul Hodgson said: "It's always a concern to see any retailer leave Barrow's town centre.

"Unfortunately Shoe Zones national strategy is currently to move away from high street stores in favour of large out of town big box retail.

"That said however, I'm sure there will be other retail businesses in Barrow such as Clarks and Discount Footwear who will keen to fill the gap in the market left by Shoe Zone."