Fulham Island's Simply Food Will Close This Summer

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Future of Poundworld branches also in doubt with company in administration

M&S has announced it is closing its Simply Food store on Fulham Island this summer, after deciding not to renew its lease.

Local branches of Poundworld in Fulham's North End Road and the West 12 Centre in Shepherd's Bush are also under threat, after the company fell into administration

2018 is turning out to be a desperate year for the retail industry, with a number of major chains being forced to close stores across London and the country.

In our borough, closures this year have included Warren Evans and Maplin's, though there was relief for staff at department store House of Fraser in Westfield in Shepherd's Bush last week when it was not include among a list of 31 stores, due to shut their doors early next year, including its flagship store in Oxford Street.

Last month, M&S announced it was expanding its closure programme, with over 100 shops due to shut by 2022. At that point it appeared that the three stores in our borough, in Westfield, King Street and Fulham had escaped the axe.

Now however, M&S has confirmed that the Fulham branch of Simply Food, which faces strong competition from neighbouring rival foodstores Sainsbury's. Waitrose and Wholefoods, will close along with a store in Ruislip High Street, though it has not yet set a definite date.

Nick Pucci, head of region for London at M&S said: "The decision not to renew our leases and therefore close our small food stores in Ruislip High Street and Fulham Island was a difficult one to make.

"We've got brilliant teams at both stores, with 40 colleagues at Fulham Island and 35 at Ruislip, and they will all move to nearby M&S stores."

These stores are likely to include M&S in Kings Road in Chelsea and the Earls Court Simply Food.

Staff at Poundworld, meanwhile are still facing uncertainy. The budget chain which has 335 shops across the country employing a total of 5,000 people, filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator last Thursday, giving it temporary protection from its creditors.

Deloitte, which was appointed as administrator on Friday, said that Poundworld will trade as usual while it seeks a buyer for all or part of the business, and no redundancies or store closures are planned.

Poundworld's original founder Christopher Edwards, who sold the chain three years ago for £150 million has also offered staff a glimmer of hope. He is considering buying back some stores, saying he believes the chain can be saved with fresh management.

June 13, 2018