‘We will miss it’, cry drivers as go-to chain with over 750 branches closes door for final time on location TODAY
A MAJOR location at a chain used by millions of drivers across the UK today closed.
Customers were devastated as Halfords shut up shop on its branch in The Merry Hill Centre, in Brierley Hill, Dudley.
The store specialised in motoring and cycling products and services.
Eagle-eyed shoppers spotted a sign in the shop window confirming the closure.
The sign read: “This store’s now closing, but we’re still local.
“Our Merry Hill store is closing on January 26, but don’t worry!
“Birchfield Road, Warley, Oldbury, B69 1DT and Springvale Retail Park, Springvale Way, Bilston, WV14 0QL.”
Halfords confirmed the clousure in a statement to The Sun.
A spokeswoman said: “We can confirm the Halfords store in Merry Hill is due to close and staff are aware of the closure.
“Customers will still be able to purchase from Halfords.com.
“We are working hard to support all of those affected.”
Many customers have now taken social media to share their disappointment over the decision.
One person said: “I get the kids bikes from there and always have my bulbs done. It is a real shame.”
A second complained: “Halfords nowadays is no where near the Halfords of the 60s or 70s.”
Another third wrote: “No way! Another one bites the dust.”
“That’s a shame, was one of the first stores at Merry Hill in the 80s, used it loads over the years but not much these days.
“Was very useful when I needed stuff urgently, but there rarely seemed to be many in when I go lately,” remarked a fourth.
Another offered: “Halfords is brilliant for go to help, they have helped me many times.
“I do wish folk would stop buying online and shop local”
It comes after Halfords closed a string of branches last year, including sites in Cambridge, Lincoln and Gloucestershire.
Branches closed for good include:
- Meadowlands Retail Park, Cambridge – February 2023
- Halfords Autocentre, Bellman’s Close, Largs – February 2023
- East Road Retail Park, Irvine – March 2023
- Stroud, Gloucestershire – August 2023
- Wragby Road, Lincoln – November 2023
In July 2020, Halford earmarked 60 stores and garages for closure following a hit in its sales due to coronavirus.
At the time, it operated over 445 stores as well as more than 370 garages in the UK.
Halfords currently runs over 400 shops and over 300 garages.