This is the latest city centre store to launch its closing down sale.
The windows of Bonmarché on Goodramgate are filled with signs announcing its final sale, as the shop prepares to close its doors for good.
This is not unexpected news. The fashion retailer called in the administrators earlier this month.
Based in Wakefield, the chain specialises in clothes for women over 50 and has 318 shops. But it has faced “a sustained period of challenging trading conditions and cashflow pressure”.
On 19 October, administrator FRP Advisory said that trading was continuing and none of the near-3,000 staff had been made redundant.
“There is every sign that we can continue trading while we market Bonmarché for sale and believe that there will be interest to take on the business,” it said.
That appears now to have changed.
Ups and downs
Bonmarché is the latest York retailer to be hit by the very difficult tradiing conditions.
Earlier this month the Davygate branch of Debenhams revealed it would close before Christmas.
That news came days after Gap on the same street finally closed its doors.
But there has been some shopping ups as well as downs. A new Lidl is to open next month, and the big redevelopment of the old BHS store continues apace.