Beloved 100-year-old British shoe chain closes another store in historic town | UK | News

Charles Clinkard, founded in 1924, has closed its site on Banbury Road in Oxford’s Summertown. The reason for the closure is unclear.

Shoppers in Oxfordshire can still visit Witney’s Woolgate Shopping Center and the high street in Burford.

The closure of the Summertown branch follows the closure of the brand’s Teesside Park site in May.

The company, which has a history of more than 100 years, closed its original Middlesbrough store in 2024.

The family-run business has previously said changing shopping habits and high street challenges have forced it to focus on improving performance at its remaining stores.

Chief executive Tim Payne told Retail Week earlier this year that the company was considering closing around two-fifths of its stores.

Clinkard Group currently operates 32 stores across the UK, in addition to the online operation.

As an increasing number of customers prefer online shopping, the retailer has shifted its focus to online sales.

It’s unclear whether more closures are planned.