Blow for Downpatrick high street as Boots to shut store

Blow for Downpatrick high street as Boots to shut store

1 November 2023

ONE of Downpatrick’s biggest High Street names is pulling out of the town.

Boots will close its Market Street base in February as part of a major cull of its UK stores which will see the shutters come down on 300 of its outlets.

The closure of the Downpatrick store is a major blow to the town’s economy and will disappoint shoppers.

Staff were notified of the closure last Thursday with the news coming just a few months after Boots revealed that it would be closing 300 stores in the UK in the next year which will see it reduce its portfolio from 2,200 to 1,900 sites.

Boots insists there are no proposed redundancies, with affected workers to be redeployed.

A spokesperson said evolving the store estate would allow the company to concentrate its team members where they are needed.

In addition, the spokesperson said the closures would allow Boots to focus investment more acutely in individual stores, “with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up-to-date environment”.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath described the closure of the Downpatrick store as a “bitter blow to the already struggling local high street”.

He said he was horrified to learn of the planned closure after staff were informed last Thursday.

“This news will come as a bitter blow, not just to Boots staff, but other shops on our local high street,” Mr McGrath continued.

“When one of our local shops are doing well, this can have a positive impact on other stores. When one suffers, news that they are set to close, particularly a business that has been in our area for many years, has a demoralising impact on everyone.”

Mr McGrath said the announcement was a “further indication of the perilous state of high streets at present and the need to see the much-needed revitalisation of Downpatrick town centre”.

He continued: “These are serious issues for our town. We need everyone to work together to stem the despondency which we are witnessing.” 

Mr McGrath said he has written to the chief executive of Boots to impress upon him the need to retain the Downpatrick store and is requesting a meeting with the company’s senior Northern Ireland officials.

“Boots Downpatrick is an essential part of our local high street and I want people to rest assured that I will not stop fighting to see it saved and to see these local jobs protected.Staff will undoubtedly be worried, and they need everyone to stand up for them against this closure now,” he added.