Hobbycraft to close nine stores

Posted by Rachel Westall on 24 April 2025

Hobbycraft confirms that, following a strategic review of the business it has announced a restructuring which will result in the closure of some of its loss-making stores, and unfortunately lead to redundancies for the colleagues who work there. The restructuring will also result in a number of management roles being made redundant across the store estate, along with redundancies in the Bournemouth based head office and the distribution centre in Burton on Trent.

Hobbycraft logo Nine* Hobbycraft stores will cease trading by mid-July with the loss of between 72 and 126 jobs. A number of other stores in the store estate are currently part of an ongoing review process, the outcome of which is currently undecided. Any further store closures will be communicated to employees in due course. The retail sector has been under a great deal of pressure for a prolonged period and this restructuring is necessary to ensure a healthy future for Hobbycraft. Hobbycraft anticipates that the restructure will secure the future of at least 99 stores and over 1,800 jobs.

Hobbycraft CEO, Alex Willson, said, "Hobbycraft is the UK's leading arts and crafts retailer, with a strong presence across the country and online, fantastic colleagues and loyal and engaged customers. For many, our stores are more than just arts and crafts supplies, they have become places for gaining crafting ideas and inspiration. Very sadly, the strength of our offering has not made us immune from the challenges faced by the retail sector in recent years. Closing stores is always a last resort and this has been an extremely difficult decision. Making these changes is sadly a necessary action to enable us to keep our doors open to crafters up and down the country."

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Basildon
Borehamwood
Bristol Imperial
Canterbury
Cirencester
Dunstable
Epping Forest
Lakeside

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