Swindon lost some of its biggest names this year on the high street and around town.
2023 was the year that several familiar faces bid farewell and a longstanding cinema suddenly shut.
Marks and Spencer announced that its 112-year-old Regent Street branch would cease trading along with 66 other branches as part of a major shakeup.
One shopper said on the last day, October 28: “This shop has survived two world wars, but whatever is happening to the town centre right now has killed it off."
Tesco Express and Iceland are the only supermarkets left in the town centre.
However, the M&S foodhall in Mannington and the Designer Outlet clothes shop remain open, and plans to invest in the Orbital Shopping Centre site in the near future.
Both branches of Wilko closed their doors after the homeware chain collapsed into administration in August.
The Greenbridge and Parade stores held everything-must-go closing down sales and shut in September after rescue attempts by interested parties failed, though the brand still survives in some form.
A similar sharp downturn hit Empire Cinemas in July, as the multiplex magnate collapsed into administration and closed several of its sites at such short notice that film fans showed up for their pre-booked screenings to find the doors locked and lights off.
Vue later took charge of the site and reopened it before Christmas.
Another Greenbridge Retail Park mainstay, Frankie and Benny’s, closed near the end of October, though no reason was given for the sudden cease of trading.
The ATB Skate Warehouse closed in November after more than a decade of keeping young people in the community entertained and active.
Owners Diana and Stuart Kirk would not have been able to cope with the cost of repairs and rising business rates, so they decided to downsize and reopen the shop elsewhere next year.
Card shop Clintons abruptly closed its Regent Street store in March, though a new Cards Direct shop has since opened in the same space.
Giraffe World Kitchen served its last meals to customers at the end of August as it left the Swindon Designer Outlet and was replaced by fellow Boparan brand Slim Chickens.
The Works had been part of the Co-op in Old Town for eight years before it received notice to leave in June and closed later in the summer, to be replaced by department store Boyes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel