Halfords to close several branches in 2023

Three stores have closed with at least one other to shut later this year

Halfords closing several stores
© Halfords

Halfords will be closing, or has closed, multiple branches this year, the retailer has confirmed. It is unknown if the staff affected by the closures will be made redundant or offered roles at neighbouring stores.

The branches in question are in Dagenham (Essex), March (Cambridgeshire) and Irvine and Largs (both North Ayrshire).

A spokesperson for Halfords said: “We regularly review our retail portfolio in line with lease terms and other stores in close proximity to the area. We always look to employ colleagues in other locations where we can.”

Commenting on the closure of the Halfords Autocentre in Largs, local councillor Tom Marshall said: “It has been there for a long time. It was a local garage before it was taken on by McConechy’s and then Halfords in more recent times. I was putting my car in for an MOT and couldn’t get through on the phone, so I phoned their Greenock office and they told me it had closed.

“They said they had been trying to keep it open but it had been a struggle. It’s a loss and another blow for the town centre.”

Earlier this year, Halfords blamed the nationwide skills shortage and a decline in bicycle sales for a 20 percent slump in its share price. Chief executive Graham Stapleton said: “Put simply, we can’t get enough qualified technicians into our garages to meet demand. There are parallel issues in many other parts of the economy where large skill gaps are opening up.”

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