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Another major Scarborough shop to close - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
SCARBOROUGH is set to lose another high street store.
The Early Learning Centre, in Newborough, will shut on Saturday February 13, leaving the future of its six workers in doubt and shoppers deeply "shocked".
The company refused to reveal to the Evening News details of what effect the move will have on staff, and said customers must now have to travel to their nearest branch in York.
The closure is another blow to Scarborough's economy and marks the changing face of the town centre after the loss of Woolworths, Wallis, Barratts and Card Warehouse during the recession.
The town is set to get a Poundland store at the former Woolworths site, and Mountain Warehouse and women's clothing outlet Viyella have recently opened. But town centre manager Malcolm Hall said the loss of the Early Learning Centre was sad news.
He said: "It is disappointing and surprising that the company are leaving the town and it will be very frustrating for a number of people in the town because the shop is very valuable for parents looking to buy not only toys, but educational goods too.
"I was in the store prior to Christmas and it seemed to be doing very well so this is a shock. We hope it won't stay empty for long and that an equally good store will take its place."
Mr Hall said the closure did not reflect the sense of recovery in the town.
Read the full story in Monday's Evening News With it now closing and Woolworths going in the past, we don’t have anywhere in Scarborough left.
“It’s my daughter’s favourite shop and whenever we are in town we always go there and get her something.”
Kerry Levitt, 29, of Wrea Lane, was looking for toys for her son Cayden when she spoke to the Evening News.
She said: “I had no idea it was closing and have just told my friends about it who also shop here because I can’t believe it.
“We seem to be losing the best shops in Scarborough and the only major shop left for toys now is Argos which is not ideal.”
Inger Betts, 59, of Castlegate, said: “I’ve used the shop on many occasions to buy presents for my grandchildren and for my job as a speech and language therapist.
“It is a big shame that it is going and will mean I have to look around more in the town or have to buy things on the internet now.”
Shona Davis, of Bridlington, who used to live in Castle Road, was in the town with her partner Daniel Pilmoor and daughter Millie.
She said: “I’m disappointed because it is a good shop and I’ve used it regularly in the past.
“You could always get what you wanted there and I really liked their selection of musical toys and storybooks.”
A spokesperson for the Hertfordshire-based company said: “The closure of the Early Learning Centre store is in line with our current portfolio plan.
“We hope this has not upset any customers and that they will continue to shop at our store in York and via our website.”
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Weather for Scarborough
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
