John Lewis closures: Will the Chichester store reopen?

The John Lewis Partnership announced yesterday (Wednesday, March 24) that eight of its 42 John Lewis shops would not reopen after lockdown.
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The shops that would not reopen included Ashford, Basingstoke, Chester, Tunbridge Wells, Aberdeen, Peterborough, Sheffield and York.

The Chichester store is one of 34 stores that is opening from April 12.

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Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Today's announcement is incredibly sad news for our affected Partners, for our customers and for the communities we’ve served over many years.

John Lewis PartnershipJohn Lewis Partnership
John Lewis Partnership

“The high street is going through its biggest change for a generation and we are changing with it. Customers will still be able to get the trusted service that we are known for - however and wherever they want to shop.”

Pippa Wicks, executive director for John Lewis, said: “Closing stores is the toughest thing we do as a Partnership because we all own our business. If the closures are confirmed, every effort will be made to find new roles for Partners and for us to continue to serve our customers by providing access to John Lewis in different ways.

“Alongside a growing online business and the expansion of next day Click & Collect, we will invest in our in-store services and experiences, as well as new, smaller neighbourhood formats and the introduction of John Lewis ranges in more Waitrose shops.”

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Discussing the companies future, a spokesman said having fewer bigger stores will allow the firm to 'invest significantly' and 'improve remaining ones'.

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