Plymouth’s huge House of Fraser store is to close in the spring of next year with staff fearing they will lose their jobs.
Signs appeared in the city centre store today saying “this store will be closing in March 2026”. Shoppers are advised to shop online instead.
A widespread closing down sale has begun with “20% off full price”. When PlymouthLive visited the store was busy with shoppers and shelves appeared to be emptying fast.
Staff were unable to speak to PlymouthLive about what was happening. We have contacted Frasers, which owns the store, for comment but has yet to receive a reply.
Source, however, confirmed to PlymouthLive that the store would shut in March, and that staff had been fielding questions from shoppers all day.
Staff employed directly by Frasers fear for their jobs, although the company has other stores in Plymouth – including Flannels, Sports Direct and Evans Cycles – and others in nearby towns and cities and staff may be redeployed.
There are other employees of franchise operations inside the building. One person told PlymouthLive she did not know what was going to happen to the concession she worked for.
The 198,087sq ft building used by House of Fraser is currently advertised for sale for £3m. There is a long lease with the potential to extend, let to SDI (Propco 46) Ltd, trading as House of Fraser, by way of a licence at a peppercorn rent.
Steve Hughes, chief executive of Plymouth City Centre Company, said he has not been made aware of any plans to close the store.
He told PlymouthLive: “We know the building has been on sale for some time. Of course it would be a shame to lose the House of Fraser brand, but I’m sure more news will transpire soon.”
