The health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett has confirmed it will shut its long-standing branch on Sheerness High Street, marking the latest departure from the Kent seaside town’s primary shopping thoroughfare.
The store is scheduled to cease trading on Saturday, 12 April. This move is part of a larger national plan by the Nuneaton-based company. They are currently working through a multi-million-pound project to update their shops across the UK and Ireland.
Changes to the retail network
A spokesperson for Holland & Barrett confirmed the news this week. They explained that the business constantly looks at where its stores are located. This is to make sure every branch is doing well and serving its purpose.
Currently, the brand is in the middle of a massive transformation. Last year alone, they updated more than 300 stores. While some smaller shops on traditional high streets are closing, the company is opening different types of outlets. This includes new partnerships and “concession” stands inside Next and Morrisons stores.
For people living in Sheerness, the closest physical shop will now be at Neats Court Retail Park in Queenborough. This is about two miles away from the current High Street site.
What this means for the local community
The closure of this branch is a blow to Sheerness. Like many coastal towns, it has struggled as big brands move to out-of-town retail parks or leave the area entirely.
The Queenborough store is much larger than the one in Sheerness. This fits with the company’s new goal of creating “wellness hubs.” These bigger stores offer more than just vitamins; they often include private rooms for health checks and expert advice.
Holland & Barrett says it still wants to help its customers in the local area. They are encouraging shoppers to use their website or visit the Queenborough branch instead.
Support for staff
The company has not said exactly how many people work at the Sheerness shop. However, they usually try to find new roles for staff in nearby stores when a branch closes.
A statement from the company said they are working closely with everyone affected. Their goal is to offer alternative jobs within the business where they can. This follows a recent pay rise for store staff, which the company implemented to stay ahead of the National Living Wage.
The financial picture
While it might seem strange to close shops when the brand is well-known, the company’s recent financial reports explain the strategy. Last year, Holland & Barrett saw its sales grow to £884.5 million. However, they also reported a pre-tax loss of about £61.8 million.
These losses come from the massive amount of money being spent on the business. The owners, an investment firm called LetterOne, spent over £96 million last year on things like new technology and fixing up old shops.
They are trying to change Holland & Barrett from a simple shop into a “science-backed” health partner. This means moving away from small, older units that cannot fit the new equipment and services they want to offer.
Looking at the future of Sheerness
With Holland & Barrett leaving, there is another empty space on the High Street. This is a familiar story for Sheerness, where several units are currently up for sale or sitting empty.
Local leaders have talked about “levelling up” the town. They want to make the centre about more than just shopping, perhaps adding more places to eat or live. Plans in other nearby towns have focused on making high streets greener and easier to walk around to bring people back.
The Sheerness branch will stay open as usual until 12 April. After that, the building will be handed back to the landlord, and the town will wait to see who might move in next.
This closure highlights the difficult balance for retailers today. They have to decide between staying in the heart of old communities or moving to bigger, more modern spaces that fit their new digital-first world. For now, Sheerness shoppers will have to travel just a little further for their health supplements.
