Hobbycraft closures

[Weaver]

Not breaking news, but I've only just spotted it:

Arts and crafts retail chain Hobbycraft fuels Brits' passions and hobbies up and down the land, but soon some UK hobbyists might have to source crafty goods elsewhere. Following a round of closures earlier this year, Hobbycraft has announced that the brand is shutting more branches.

Which Hobbycraft stores are closing and when?

The stores will all close in either August or September – here are the ones slated to shut.

    Bromborough – August 4
    Stratford-upon-Avon – August 6
    Southport – August 7
    Stafford – September
    Wigan – early September
    Maidenhead – September
    King's Lynn – September
    Chichester – September
    Crayford – September

Earlier this year, the following nine Hobbycraft stores closed:

    Bagshot, Surrey
    Basildon, Essex
    Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
    Bristol, Imperial Retail Park
    Canterbury, Kent
    Cirencester, Gloucestershire
    Dunstable, Bedfordshire
    Epping Forest, Essex
    Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex

Are more stores at risk of closure?
Hobbycraft has not confirmed whether more shops are at risk of closing.
 
Why are these stores closing?
The stores are closing as part of a restructure intended to secure the futures of other Hobbycraft branches.

This is just the bullet point version. The full article is here:
https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/which-hobbycraft-stores-are-closing-down-heres-the-full-list-of-branches-shutting-across-the-uk-in-2025-081325

[Nick]

A number of Hobbycraft stores have closed off large areas inside as the ranges shrink. These are often on the upper mezzanine floor where (in my local at least) the model kits and paints were.

Some of these get used for local clubs and teaching / sales events etc but even those have reduced lately.

I guess the market for crafting and art and model making isn't as big as they thought.

[Steel Penguin]

its more of a general down turn in crafting.  Mrs SP has noticed that the number of craft fairs has reduced, and weve both noticed the footfall at the ones we go to has got lighter as well.  Needless to say that sales haven't really picked up since covid.   
And i hate to say ( and trying to avoid politics) with money being tighter all round, one of the things that takes a hit it hobby spending,  people cut back and try to make more with what they have..

My hopes and best wishes to all the staff who work at them, hopefully the stores can weather the downturn .