Thorntons in Bakewell escapes closure

The Bakewell branch of Thorntons has announced it is safe from the recently announced store closures, but the future of the Buxton shop remains unclear.
Thorntons, BakewellThorntons, Bakewell
Thorntons, Bakewell

On Monday, the chocolate retailers announced that they planned to close approximately 40 stores during the financial year.

But Thorntons at The Coffee Shop, on Matlock Street, confirmed this week that it would be remaining open as it was a franchise and the jobs of its eight employees were safe.

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While staff at its Buxton counterpart, in the Springs Shopping Centre, refused to comment on the news.

In the Alfreton-based company’s half year results, relating to the 28 weeks ended January 11, it revealed that own store sales declined six per cent to £58.8 million and that at the end of the period Thorntons had 36 fewer stores than last year. Fifteen stores were closed in the half year and the firm ended the year with 281 stores.

Jonathan Hart, Thorntons’ chief executive said: “As expected, the marketplace remains highly competitive and our consumers continue to seek value; our plans have been made accordingly.”