Jarrolds to close Wymondham store after almost 40 years

Jarrolds has announced its Wymondham store will close on September 14 due to the decline of the town's high street and low footfall. 

The Wymondham store first opened in Middleton Street in 1986 and was Jarrolds first shop outside of Norwich.

Four people worked at the store and Jarrolds says it is "making every effort" to find them employment either within the group or elsewhere. 

The Jarrolds Wymondham store will close on September 14 this year (Image: Jarrolds)

John Adams, retail managing director of the Jarrold Group, said: “We are very proud to have served the town of Wymondham for 38 years, but high streets and shopping habits have changed dramatically in that time.

“Whilst the number of dwellings in and around Wymondham has increased, the town centre grows noticeably quieter each year, with the closure of vital services such as banks and the Post Office."

Banks Barclays and HSBC closed branches in the town last year and the Post Office inside the Wymondham store also closed in February this year despite efforts to save it. 

READ MORE: Decline of the East's high streets laid bare in new report

“Proactively investing in and contributing to our communities is a fundamental part of the way the Jarrold Group does business,” Mr Adams said. 

“We were happy to provide a home for the town centre Post Office and know that customers enjoyed both the convenience of the location and the opportunity to browse our store when they came in.

"The Post Office’s decision to close the branch earlier this year has clearly made a difference to footfall in our store and the town centre in general.

He added: “The decision to close the Wymondham shop has not been an easy one, but due to a range of factors, it is the right one to make for our business. 

"Sadly, Wymondham town centre is no longer the right location for a Jarrolds retail store.”