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H&M Castle Quay closing at the end of the month
16/02/2022
Decision was part of a strategy to ensure customers get “the best possible shopping experience in the right locations”
The Castle Quay Shopping Centre is set to lose another major retailer. H&M has confirmed to Banbury FM they are closing their Banbury store.
H&M Castle Quay is set to close on February 27.
A spokesperson said: “At H&M we continuously review our store portfolio, the decision to close this particular store was part of the long-term strategy to ensure we are offering our customers the best possible shopping experience in the right locations.
“Customers can continue to shop for quality fashion at the best price at our nearby stores or online at hm.com.”
Banbury FM is awaiting a statement from Castle Quay.
The H&M shop sits next to the vacant unit which had been home to Debenhams. The H&M unit originally housed Banbury’s Woolworth’s shop, after it relocated from Banbury High Street.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
Edward Horton On 16/02/2022 at 2:23 pm
Does Castle Quay have a future as a shopping centre? Doubtful I’d say.
But this has been coming for years while Castle Quay owners and management have ignored the warnings. No doubt they will blame coronavirus and lockdowns but the writing was on the wall long before the pandemic started.
Debenhams, for instance, had struggled for 20 years or more and only huge concessions from the landlords had persuaded them to stay for as long as they did.
M & S announced when Gateway opened that they’d only guarantee keeping the Castle Quay store open for five years and sure enough, when the five years were up, they closed it.
Since then, it’s been a steady exodus of shops that have been replaced by non-retail units that don’t attract shoppers – eg the job centre and kids’ play zones.
And more shops will close until all we’re left with is the awful Lock 29.
This doesn’t bode well for the soon to be opened Castle Quay 2 – the canalside cinema which is a monstrosity of a building. It’s totally unattractive and unwelcoming and to an extent the writing is already on the wall there too. It was planned as a cinema above trendy eateries and shops. But Castle Quay couldn’t let all of them and we’re getting a bowling alley instead. If businesses don’t think they can can make a go of it there, it speaks volumes.
From what I’ve read, the cinema is going to be an expensive night out – too expensive for most, I’d say.
Interesting times ahead – but probably not happy times.
jane On 17/02/2022 at 12:19 pm
castle Quay is a joke. what a load of rubbish in town
Johnny On 21/02/2022 at 10:05 am
What ever spin Cherwell council or Castle Quay attempt to portray, the shopping centre is a relic of the 20th century. People no longer use these facilities like it’s the 1980s. The town centre fairs no better, looking tired and unloved, with it’s urban decay. The new Castle Quay 2 development is a colossal waste of money when streaming services and a stay at home culture become ever prevalent. The future is ominous for Banbury and Castle Quay.