Sadness as one of city's last department stores to close

Sadness as one of city's last department stores to close

Closing-down posters have been put up at the entrance to the luxury department store in The Mailbox.

Harvey Nichols has said it will shut its Birmingham store in January.

The decision has been called "a huge blow to the city and shoppers".

The Mailbox branch doubled in size in 2015 and stocks more than 200 brands, many of them exclusive to the city.

Sarah Montano, professor of retail marketing at the University of Birmingham, said losing the store would be a "huge blow", especially after the closure of John Lewis in 2020 and, more recently, House of Fraser in June.

But some shoppers told BBC Radio WM that, although they liked shopping in the city, they had never been to Harvey Nichols.

Plans to close the store surfaced after closing-down-sale posters appeared at its entrance earlier this week.

The BBC has approached Frasers Group, which took control of Harvey Nichols stores in August, for comment and understands staff were told about the proposals on Monday.

When it took over, the group said "significant restructuring" was needed to make sure the nearly 200-year-old business stayed sustainable.

Two shoppers, Chris and Heidi, said the store was "lovely to look at", but they had never gone inside.

They said they usually shopped online and, while they came into the city "to have a look around", they would rather the space be taken by a less high-end store.

"I don't mind Ikea being there - that was just a rumour - but I don't mind it," Heidi added.

Another shopper, Alisha, who was visiting the city, said the closure did not bother her because she shopped online.

The luxury department store at The Mailbox in Birmingham is expected to close in January.

James Holmes, who is from Dudley but works in The Mailbox, said the closure was "no loss" for him.

He added that he preferred designer retail outlets.

"Department stores are fading away a bit, and it's just [a case] of another one bites the dust," Holmes said.

He said he had seen fewer people going into the store "over the past five or so years" and believed the cost of living crisis had contributed.

"I don't think people can afford the high, high-end fashion, with what's happening," he added.

KJ Dixon, Lauren Lawson and Helen Parkinson, who were visiting Birmingham from Lancaster, said they were attracted to the city because it had more large chain stores than Lancaster.

"I'm like, 'Let's go somewhere big to go shopping,'" Dixon said.

She added that although online shopping was more convenient, it was a shame the department store was closing.

"If it's a big purchase, like make up or handbags I want to see it and feel it. I want to speak to people too; I want that personal interaction," Dixon said.

Helen Parkinson, Lauren Lawson and KJ Dixon were visiting Birmingham from Lancaster.

Lauren Lawson said her shopping habits had "contributed to the problem".

"I browse in those stores, and then I buy [it] online for cheaper. But I very much enjoy shopping, so I think it is a shame," she said.

Retail expert Sarah Montano describes the closure as a "huge blow to the city and shoppers".

Montano said Harvey Nichols "showcased the reputation of Birmingham" and showed that the city was "a premier shopping destination".

She added that a "coordinated approach", involving multiple stakeholders, including Birmingham City Council, was needed to secure the city's future as a shopping hub.

Despite Harvey Nichols' closure, she said the city's Bullring shopping centre was "thriving", with new stores opening.

Harvey Nichols' Leeds store also appears set to be turned into a Flannels shop, following comments from Frasers Group chief executive Michael Murray.