A MAJOR high street chain is set to shut one of its stores in West Somerset with a closure date looming.
The Holland and Barrett shop located opposite a TGJones shop at The Parade, Minehead, is confirmed to close for the final time on Wednesday, April 22.
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The brand has more than 700 shops in the UK, with fewer than 10 High Street outlets in Somerset.
It is known for selling a range of health and remedy products, including: vitamins and supplements, healthy food and snacks, protein powders, specialist vegan/vegetarian lifestyle products, natural beauty and skincare products and more.
Somerset Holland and Barrett store to close this month
A sign has been put up at the shop to confirm the closure date. It reads: "We're closing this store, Wednesday, April 22."
One member of the Holland and Barrett team in Minehead, who has worked there for 10 years, revealed why the store is closing.
Speaking via social media, store colleague Nina Louisa said: "Holland and Barrett [is closing] due to a drop in footfall in the town and store. I don't know if anything can be done but the team and I have said we will fight to the end for our jobs and our customers.
"As you can imagine, we are very sad about this. It's been my life for almost a decade, and I'm heartbroken."
The closure of this store is part of an ongoing £70 million investment into renovating other Holland and Barrett stores in the UK.
In a statement to the County Gazette, a spokesperson on behalf of Holland and Barrett said: "The Holland & Barrett store in Minehead will permanently close on April 22.
"This is part of an ongoing £70 million investment into transforming our stores, which includes opening and renovating more than 200 new locations nationwide.
"In the meantime, the store is open as usual, bringing expert-led advice alongside our range of science-backed products and services to our customers.
"Opening hours are available on our website, which also offers our full range of wellness solutions, plus links to health and wellbeing advice, and free 15-minute one-to-one appointments with our Body Qualified Experts at HollandandBarett.com.
The nearest Holland and Barrett store that will remain open after this closure is located at 12 East Street, Taunton.
