Another High Street Giant Bites the Dust - This Time It's Personal

By HOAR Team 3 September, 2025 5 mins read 3290 Views

God, here we go again.

The Original Factory Shop just announced they're shutting down their Inverness location, and honestly? I'm getting tired of writing these stories. My neighbor Sarah works there - worked there, I guess - and she found out through a Facebook post like everyone else. Classy move, corporate overlords.

This isn't some isolated incident either. We're talking about the 19th closure this year alone, and I've been tracking every single one because apparently that's what my life has become. The Scottish store didn't even bother giving a proper closure date - just a vague "hope you'll pop in before we close" message that screams "we're winging this entire thing."

The 50% Off Death March Begins

They've already launched their closing sale at 50%, but trust me, those discounts will climb higher as desperation sets in. I've seen this dance before - next week it'll be 60%, then 70%, then "everything must go" with prices that make you wonder how they stayed in business in the first place.

The Facebook comments are exactly what you'd expect. "Such a shame." "So sad to see this go." Yeah, well, sadness doesn't pay the rent, does it?

Modella Capital's Shopping Spree of Doom

Here's where it gets interesting (and by interesting, I mean depressing). The Original Factory Shop got bought by Modella Capital back in February 2024. These guys are like vultures in expensive suits - they also snatched up Hobbycraft and WHSmith's high street operations.

Modella's business model seems to be: buy struggling retailer, launch "restructuring effort," close the stores that aren't printing money, rinse and repeat. They're currently trying to renegotiate rents at 88 locations, which is corporate speak for "pay us less or we're gone."

The company voluntary arrangement (CVA) they filed in April? That's basically retail purgatory - a last-ditch effort to avoid complete collapse.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Closure Calendar

Mark your calendars, bargain hunters:

Mexborough in South Yorkshire shuts down September 6th. The Chard location follows on September 7th (currently offering 70% off everything because why not go out with a bang). Then Nairn, Scotland closes its doors on September 22nd.

I've got a spreadsheet tracking all 26 locations that have closed or are closing. Yes, I know that makes me sound like a retail obituary writer, but someone has to keep score.

The Bigger Picture (Spoiler: It's Grim)

This isn't just about one chain having a bad year.

New Look closed a dozen UK stores and completely bailed on Ireland. Claire's collapsed into administration last month - imagine being a 12-year-old trying to explain to your friends why you can't get your ears pierced at the mall anymore. Poundland is planning to axe 68 locations, and H&M's Monki brand just closed their last high street store.

The math is brutal: rising costs + people shopping online + less disposable income = empty storefronts. My town center looks like a game of retail Jenga where someone pulled out too many pieces.

Sarah texted me yesterday: "Already updating my LinkedIn." She's 34 with two kids and a mortgage. The Original Factory Shop was supposed to be her stable job while she figured out her next move.

Turns out the high street had other plans.

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How To

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