The high street of Norwich has been dealt another blow with the sudden closure of the Yours Clothing store. The popular chain, known for its plus-size fashion range, had been a staple on St Stephens street, but now the store lies empty and stripped of its iconic branding. The closure has left shoppers dismayed, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment and frustration. For customers like Zoe London, the loss of Yours Clothing is more than just the closure of a store – it’s the loss of a go-to destination for clothes that fit. As she wrote on social media, “Why??? Now there is no reason for me to go in the city anymore, its the only shop in Norwich that do jeans that fit me.”
The closure of Yours Clothing is just the latest in a string of high street casualties in Norwich. In recent weeks, Wilko and the former Poundland have also shuttered their windows, leaving empty stores dominating the high street. For locals, the loss of these stores is not just about the convenience of having a variety of shops to choose from, but also about the character and charm of the high street. As Michelle Egan wrote on social media, “Let’s hope they find another shop that’s the only place I like and I won’t be setting foot in Great Yarmouth.” The closest Yours Clothing store is now located in Great Yarmouth, a 38-minute drive away, which is an inconvenience for many customers. The closure has also left some customers with vouchers that are now essentially worthless, like Zoe London who had purchased a gift voucher for her mum.
The site of the former Yours Clothing store may not remain vacant for long, as a London-based fast food chain, Pepe’s Piri Piri, has applied for planning permission to take over the spot. The plans, which were submitted to Norwich City Council earlier this year, include designs for new signage, a shopfront, and extraction canopy. While the addition of a new restaurant may bring some new life to the high street, locals are not entirely enthusiastic about the prospect of another fast food joint. As Katheryn Shelsher argued on social media, “We have 3 cafes we don’t need anymore.” Others, like Terri Browne and Teresa Mulligan, have also expressed their disappointment, with one simply stating “Another one!!” and the other saying “Like we need another fast food place!”
The reaction from locals highlights a deeper concern about the state of the high street in Norwich. With the closure of stores like Yours Clothing, Wilko, and Poundland, the high street is starting to lose its unique character and charm. The proliferation of fast food chains and empty stores is a far cry from the vibrant and bustling high street that many remember. As one local wrote on social media, “Norwich has gone downhill.” The loss of independent shops and unique retailers is not just about the convenience of having somewhere to shop, but also about the sense of community and identity that they bring to the area.
For customers who relied on Yours Clothing for their plus-size fashion needs, the closure of the store is a significant blow. The brand still has over 100 outlets nationwide, but for those in Norwich, the loss of the local store is a significant inconvenience. As Zoe London wrote on social media, “That’s it, Norwich has gone downhill. I got my Mum a Yours voucher, what am I going to do now?” The closure of the store highlights the need for retailers to adapt to changing consumer habits and to prioritize the needs of their customers. In this case, the loss of Yours Clothing leaves a gap in the market for plus-size fashion, and it remains to be seen whether another retailer will step in to fill the void.
The future of the high street in Norwich remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the closure of stores like Yours Clothing is a significant loss for the community. As the council considers the planning application from Pepe’s Piri Piri, locals will be watching with interest to see what the future holds for the high street. Will the addition of a new fast food chain be enough to revitalize the area, or will it simply contribute to the decline of the high street? Only time will tell, but for now, the closure of Yours Clothing is a reminder of the challenges facing retailers and the importance of preserving the unique character and charm of our high streets. The decision on the planning application is set to be made on May 8, and locals will be eagerly awaiting the outcome, hoping that it will bring some much-needed vitality back to the high street.
