National retailer to leave Crawley after a decade in town centre
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Crawley is set to lose one of its biggest retail names after Decathlon confirmed it will permanently close its Queens Square store later this month.
The world's largest sporting goods retailer was founded, in France, in 1976 and operates 1,902 stores across 82 countries and regions.
After serving Crawley shoppers for the past decade, the company is expected to close its doors on July 24, with a closing down sale now underway.
The news was highlighted by Duncan Crow, Crawley borough councillor for Furnace Green, Conservative Group leader, and former West Sussex county councillor for Tilgate & Furnace Green.
He described the closure as a ‘huge loss’ for the town.
"Really sad news that Decathlon are pulling out of Crawley after ten years of being at Queens Square,” his Facebook post read.
"Hearing it will be open until the 24th of July and then gone permanently. It's a huge loss for the town centre which, outside of County Mall, appears to be an increasing struggle for retailers."
The departure of such a globally recognised retailer is likely to be viewed as another setback for Crawley's town centre, particularly for businesses trading outside County Mall.
For many residents, Decathlon has been a popular destination for affordable sportswear, cycling equipment, camping gear and fitness products, making its closure a significant loss for local shoppers and sports enthusiasts alike.