High street chain reveals 'great sadness' as it confirms another store closing

Shoppers have been saying goodbye to a beloved high streetchain as the final big closing down sale is launched.

Locals in Horley, Surrey, have been left devastated as The Original Factory Shop has confirmed it will close its doors in the coming days for the final time.

“It comes with great sadness but we want to let you all know that The Original Factory Shop Horley will be closing down,” staff announced in a Facebook post.

“It’s been a pleasure serving our community, and we’re so grateful for all the support over the years. Your loyalty has meant everything to us. Please don’t hesitate to pop in and take advantage of our closing down sale and to say goodbye.”

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In response loyal shoppers piled into the comments section to share their sadness at the news. One wrote. “Sad to see another Horley shop close. Good luck to all staff involved.”

Meanwhile another said: “One of the only decent shops going.” While a third added: “I’m so sad that this was the outcome. I have used this store for many years. Hope the staff are all able to find new job.”

Meanwhile others tagged their friends urging them to visit and take advantage of the sale before the shop closed for good. Other branches of The Original Factory Shop have closed their doors in recent months.

Back in August bosses said that they would be closing three more branches as part of a major restructuring effort. Stores in Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, Normanton in West Yorkshire and Kirkham in Lancashire have already closed for good.

The chain has been a staple of UK high streets for decades, providing shoppers with everything from toiletries and homeware to toys and clothing at low prices.

The change comes after The Original Factory Shop was (TOFS) bought by private equity firm Modella Capital in February. The firm has also recently purchased Hobbycraft and WHSmith’s high street shops.

Soon after the purchase the firm launched a restructuring plan in a bid to renegotiate the rents at 88 TOFS stores. Modells embarked on plans for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for the retailer at the end of April.

These CVA deals are used by companies to avoid insolvency which could trigger the business to collapse, allowing businesses to look at different options such as negotiating with landlords for lower rents.

The firm has already said however that “number of loss-making stores would have to close” as part of restructuring efforts.

Mirror Online has reached out to TOFS for a comment.