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<\/p>\nA MAJOR furniture chain with 170 stores is set to close a shop within days. <\/p>\n
Bensons for Beds will be pulling down the shutters on one of its branches on Saturday. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The shop in Sittingbourne Retail Park in Kent is currently holding a big reduced-to-clear sale as it prepares to shut its doors. <\/p>\n
Confirming the closure a spokesperson encouraged shoppers to head over to neighbouring sites in Maidstone and Aylesford. <\/p>\n
They said: "Sadly, the Bensons for Beds store in Sittingbourne will be closing on December 9. <\/p>\n
"We know this news will be disappointing for our many local customers, however, we are launching new, upgraded stores across the UK as part of our three-year transformation plan, focusing on the right store in the right location to meet growing consumer needs."<\/p>\n
Shoppers have been reacting to the closure news on social media. <\/p>\n
Posting on Facebook one said: "Another empty shop for Sittingbourne this town soon won't have nothing to offer it's all but online now."<\/p>\n
Another wrote: "I worked for them for nearly 10 years, I'm still an advocate for the products especially the Igel range it's a shame they are closing the store."<\/p>\n
Others were keen to get their hands on sale items. <\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n One tagged their pal and posted: "New mattress?"<\/p>\n A second commented: "Might be worth a look!"<\/p>\n And a third asked: "What\u2019s the cheapest small double wooden please?"<\/p>\n The retailer specialises in beds and mattresses and has around 170 stores across the UK. <\/p>\n Bensons for Beds, founded in the 1950s, went into administration in June 2020 in the midst of the pandemic.<\/p>\n But investors Alteri immediately bought it back, aiming to save between 150 and 175 of the chain's 242 stores.<\/p>\n Two years later Bensons for Beds announced it was planning to open or relocate 35 stores in 2022 after it returned to the black.<\/p>\n Last month, Bensons for Beds returned to profitability for the first time since 2020 after a successful turnaround plan.<\/p>\n Like-for-like sales for the bed retailer jumped 7% for the year to September 30, boosted by a 22% surge in online sales.<\/p>\n The retailer opened 14 new shops, including re-entry into markets such as Peterborough and Speke and new catchments like Edinburgh Craigleith and Edrington.<\/p>\n Many high street retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years, especially during the\u00a0Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n Energy costs\u00a0have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.<\/p>\n This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and have no choice but to\u00a0close stores\u00a0to cut costs.<\/p>\n Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to\u00a0evolve its brand.\u00a0<\/p>\n Next\u00a0Home is\u00a0set to pull down the shutters\u00a0on its branch at the Crescent Link\u00a0Retail\u00a0Park in\u00a0Derry,\u00a0Northern Ireland, next year.<\/p>\n Jack Wills in\u00a0Worcester\u00a0announced it\u00a0will be closing down\u00a0for good this new year.<\/p>\n Co-op's College Green store in\u00a0Bristol\u00a0will be\u00a0closing its doors for the final time on December 9.<\/p>\n It's not just shops either,\u00a0pubs\u00a0and restaurants have been affected too.<\/p>\n Punters have been left gutted and reminiscing over their last pint as\u00a0another Wetherspoons pub closed this weekend.<\/p>\n Franco Manca, which has 70 branches, is to\u00a0close its original site\u00a0after 15 years.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cpdrek-20-twenty-pound-notes-791534059.jpg\")
<\/picture>HELPING HAND <\/span><\/p>\nThousands of households to get \u00a3125 paid into bank accounts before Christmas<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/newspress-collage-9otjngzdo-1701811550189.jpg\")
<\/picture>CASH BACK <\/span><\/p>\nMartin Lewis warns MILLIONS could be owed money – and explains how to reclaim it<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/newspress-collage-lp4exfpqy-1701777460216.jpg\")
<\/picture>BREW-TIFUL <\/span><\/p>\nStarbucks is giving away free drinks to millions of workers for one day only<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/185-night-face-demolished-revealed-835506778.jpg\")
<\/picture>GET SHEDDY <\/span><\/p>\nI’ve been given a WEEK to demolish my sheds even though neighbours love them<\/h3>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
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