John Lewis closure: York shoppers react with anger and dismay

Customers at the York store of John Lewis have been reacting to the news that the store is to close permanently.

News broke this morning that the store, at the Vangarde Shopping Park, is one of eight more in the chain to be axed.

One shopper at the York store, Louise Slater, condemned John Lewis for its decision.

“Very disappointed you are closing your York branch,” she wrote on the company Facebook page.

“Such a big loss for the Yorkshire area. I’m sure you could have done more with the store building? It was always so busy when I’ve shopped there.

“A little short sighted perhaps JL, let’s get through the next 12/18 months and see what happens.”

“As a regular customer at your York store I am extremely disappointed with your decision to close it permanently,” commented Catherine Botting.

“I feel you are losing the customer-focused values that made you such a unique organisation.”

Anna Rowan said: “So sad that York is not reopening. Yes I buy online but really loved the experience of feeling materials and seeing things in York. The staff were lovely.”

Others were less surprised. “When John Lewis first opened in York it had brands that were not available anywhere else in York and it was a pleasure to shop there,” wrote Sandra Wood on the YorkMix Facebook page.

“I liked it originally. However in the last couple of years there is nothing for sale in that store that you cannot buy on any high street.”

A former worker at the Vangarde store said “alarm bells were ringing years ago when staff were leaving and not being replaced. Made it so hard on us that were left.”

And Rachel Goodwin wrote: “York is turning into a ghost town! I wonder if any of the newly planned businesses will come to the new bit near the stadium?”