ANOTHER Huddersfield town-centre shop is to shut down.
Staff working at Textiles Direct in the Packhorse Centre were told yesterday that the shop is to close.
It is thought it is one of more than 50 stores nationwide owned by the Lancashire-based chain that are said to be at risk.
The company, which sells bedding, curtains, towels and household goods, is understood to be on the brink of administration.
The firm employs about 350 people and attempts are being made to find a buyer.
Shops in Halifax and Bradford have been closed down in recent months.
Five people have worked at the Huddersfield branch which opened almost five years ago in the centre.
Huddersfield shop manager Maria Baldwin said: “It is very sad news for the staff but also for our customers.
“We were told by the area manager today that the shop is to close, along with about 50 across the north of England.
“They had a lot more shops but some have already closed.
“We don’t yet know exactly when we will be closing but we expect it will be in about three weeks.
“It is such a shame.
“We have had a lot of regular customers who have been very loyal to us over the years”.
This is the latest blow to hit Huddersfield’s retail scene in the past few months.
And it follows the closures of firms such as Comet, Peacocks, Blockbuster and Jessops, and the impending closure of HMV.
The HMV shop in the Kingsgate Centre is expected to close this month and doubts still remain over the future of the Republic, even though the chain has been bought by retailer Mike Ashley.
Republic has a sizeable store at Kingsgate in Huddersfield and outlets in Leeds, Wakefield and the White Rose Centre.
Thousands of jobs have been lost in “bricks and mortar” retailing in the face of tough economic conditions and competition from online retailers.
