British High Street Icon To Close All Stores – Hundreds Of Jobs To Go

A British high street icon known for its top of the range selection of chocolates synonymous with special occasions to generations of Brits is to close.

Thorntons, a household name across the United Kingdom is to close all 61 of its shops nationwide with the probable loss of 600 jobs.

In reports from the UK, the company puts the reason behind its closure as the ongoing struggle against the coronavirus pandemic; stores being shut throughout the Christmas and then Easter holiday period due to government lockdowns seen as the final nail in the firm’s coffin.

Speaking to the media, Thorntons retail director Adam Goddard said “(T)he obstacles we have faced and will continue to face on the High Street are too severe” adding that “Despite our best efforts we have taken the difficult decision to permanently close our retail store estate.”

Thornton’s has been a household name in the UK for over 100 years having been founded in the city of Sheffield in 1911, but in recent decades saw its once proud empire of over 250 stores taken over by Italy’s Ferrero who bought the business in 2015, for £112m.

Ferrero has said “We remain committed to this iconic British brand and will continue to invest further in the future potential of Thorntons to ensure we evolve with the times” but it is feared the name and its stores will join the rest of over 17,500 chain stores in the UK to so far fall foul of the pandemic.

Lisa Conklin

Lisa is an Eastender from London in her second year in Taipei where she teaches English, and in her spare time writes poetry. She is a practicing vegan and lover of yoga who lives 'off-grid' as much as possible. She is our weekend editor.