Clarks, the iconic Somerset-based shoe brand founded in Street in 1825, has announced it will be closing its outlet store located in the Worle Shopping Centre, Weston-super-Mare. This decision marks another setback for the seaside town, which has been facing a steady decline in high street retailers.
While the official closing date has yet to be confirmed, the store’s hours on the Clarks website now show it as closed. Customers are being encouraged to visit other Clarks locations in Somerset, including the original Street outlet, as well as stores in Taunton and Cribbs Causeway.
The announcement has caused frustration among local shoppers, particularly parents who rely on the Worle store for purchasing school shoes. One resident expressed concern, asking, “Are they moving somewhere else or just going? Not sure where I will get school shoes with them gone!” Another lamented, “This is more of a loss to this town,” while a third added, “I get my boys’ school shoes from there! It’s so frustrating.”
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A shopper confirmed the closure timeline, saying, “Went and bought shoes this morning and they told me they are closing at Easter; no more deliveries, so just selling off what they have left.” Comments also reflect worries about the broader retail decline, with one noting, “There will be no shops left in Weston the way it’s going.”
A spokesperson for Clarks stated, “Clarks confirms its Outlet store in Worle will be closing. We’d like to thank our loyal customers who have shopped with us at this store. We will continue to serve them through our full range of products online, as well as at our nearby Clarks Village Outlet store in Street and our stores at Cribbs Causeway Bristol and Taunton.”