Hobbycraft to Close King’s Lynn Store Amid Nationwide UK Closures
Hey everyone, there’s some news coming out about Hobbycraft, the popular arts and crafts retailer, that’s a bit of a blow for crafters in King’s Lynn and beyond. The store on the Hardwick retail park is set to close its doors in September, joining a wave of closures that’s affecting six other UK locations. This follows what the company calls a “strategic review” of its operations, which has led to these difficult decisions.
When the King’s Lynn branch opened in 2020, it created 18 jobs for the local community, all of which are now going to be lost due to the closure. While the exact last trading day hasn’t been specified, Hobbycraft has confirmed that operations will stop sometime next month. The closures are not limited to King’s Lynn either; shops in places like Wigan, Maidenhead, Chichester, Stafford, Bromborough, Southport, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Crayford are also affected, either closing this month or in September.
Hobbycraft’s chief executive, Alex Wilson, has stated that despite the strength of the brand’s offerings, the retailer hasn’t been immune to the challenges facing the wider retail sector in recent years. He emphasized that closing stores is always a last resort, describing it as an extremely difficult decision. At the same time, Wilson noted that these changes are necessary to ensure the business can continue serving crafters across the UK.
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The closures are part of a broader restructuring plan that was first revealed in April. That plan initially saw at least nine other stores being shut down and was designed to protect the future of roughly 99 stores and around 1,800 jobs nationwide. Discussions are reportedly ongoing with landlords at other locations to explore rent adjustments, which might help prevent further closures, but the impact of these decisions is being felt strongly by communities where the stores are located.
For regular Hobbycraft shoppers and local hobbyists in King’s Lynn, this means that a familiar creative hub will soon be gone. It’s a reminder of the ongoing pressures on physical retail spaces and the difficult choices companies have to make to balance costs while keeping the majority of their operations sustainable.
So, while the news is disappointing, especially for staff and local crafters, it’s part of a wider effort to ensure the company remains viable and continues to support crafting enthusiasts across the country. If you’ve got any projects in mind, now might be a good time to pop by the store before it closes.
The closure of the King’s Lynn Hobbycraft is more than just a business story—it’s a reflection of how the retail landscape is changing and the challenges even well-loved brands face today.
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