A GLOBAL superbrand has shut one of its enormous UK outlets in a massive blow to high street shoppers.
Rumours had circulated in January that the store could close due to a failure of the company to secure a new lease agreement with its landlords.
Now, we can confirm the Nike store at Craigleith Retail Park in Edinburgh, Scotland, has closed for good.
The storefront at the busy retail park in Scotland’s second largest city was seen painted over in black.
It had been previously understood that the Nike store would shut its doors on January 26.
In a document to staff, shared with Edinburgh Live, Nike had confirmed there could be “proposed redundancies”.
The sportswear retailer indicated that the job losses would come as a result of the failure to secure a new lease agreement at the site.
Its letter to staff read: “Based on results and on Nike being unable to agree a new lease agreement with the landlords, Nike is proposing the closure of Edinburgh Craigleith with an anticipated last trading date of 26th January 2025 resulting in a proposed redundancy situation.”
Shoppers have been mourning the “sad” loss of the store, with one saying: “That’s a shame.
“Have bought a lot of things in it for birthdays/xmas at good prices.
“I’ll miss it.”
Another added: “That’s sad.
“It’s what happens when everyone shops online.
“Shops are closing almost every week now”.
Some were frustrated by the loss of the “very popular” store, calling its closure “pretty annoying”, while others felt “gutted” by the situation.
Another highlighted the recent losses of other stores in the same retail park.
They said: “Ooo no Craigleith has lost Clarks few years ago now Nike.
“Less and less decent shops there.”
A Nike spokesperson had previously said: “We constantly evaluate our store locations to give us the best opportunity to personally connect with consumers through premium products, experiences, and services.
“As part of this retail strategy, the Nike Craigleith Store will close per January 26.”
This comes as one of Britain’s oldest department stores launched a closing down sale just months before its last remaining shop shuts for good.
Beales, which was founded in Bournemouth in 1881, will close its branch in Poole’s Dolphin Centre on May 31.
Starting today, the sale will clear all the remaining stock in the store before it closes its doors for good.
Items including furniture, fashion, gifts and cosmetics are being sold for up to 70 per cent off.
Beales chief executive Tony Brown blamed the “devastating impact” of the rise in national insurance contributions and the higher minimum wage for the shop shutting.
When the closure was announced, he said the business had become “unviable” as it prepared to take on further cost increases which were announced in the October Budget.
