Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
- Latest: Chocolate retailer Thorntons plans to close all 61 stores
- Ipsos MORI sees record jump in economic optimism
- Bank of England governor ‘more positive’ on recovery
- Bailey warns Covid had unequal impact; plays down inflation worries
- Introduction: China’s factory output and retail sales surge
The news of Thorntons’ store closures has hit Sheffield, where the company was founded, hard.
Sheffield newspaper The Star reports that the 110-year-old chocolate maker is “like a family friend” to many, so the plan to close all 61 outlets is a blow.
Star reader LizzyBee summed it up well: “Sad news. Feels like losing a childhood friend.”
At its height, the firm employed 4,500 at more than 370 high street shops and 229 franchise counters across the country.
Upset customers say Thorntons shop closures like 'death of a childhood friend' https://t.co/J1XoYl1DEV
#Breaking Thornton's closing store network whilst #HotelChocolat revenues rose 11% to £101.9m second half of 2020#Thorntons #Retailhttps://t.co/ij63UkqUxo