One of York’s most prominent shops looks set to close this summer.
The Disney Store on Parliament Street will close by September, according to reports.
The large shop unit is already being marketed for rent on commercial property sites.
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The Disney group have embarked on a store closure programme in the US, and several stores in the UK have closed this year.
It is part of a plan to concentrate on online shopping.
Now several reports say that all the UK stores are to close by 21 September. Staff members have been told, and are sharing the news on social media.
YorkMix understands that management have known about the York store closure for some weeks.
A Disney spokesperson said this afternoon: “We are currently in consultation with an initial group of stores in the UK, including our York store.”
The news about York’s store has already been shared on Facebook, causing dismay among its fans. One mum said: “Oh no this is so sad! Disney store is the highlight of my daughter’s trips into York and the whole magic of the shop!”
The Parliament Street retail store is being marketed for rent as “an extremely prominent corner location”.
According to the property details, it could be split into two units, or as a whole, with more than 6,000 sq ft available.
Phil Pinder, chair of York Retail Forum, said: “It’s a real shock to hear a brand like Disney are leaving the High Street.
“These stores, to my knowledge were profitable before the pandemic, and am sure will be again.
“The format of the stores was maybe a little tired, and in need of some Disney magic, this though I think is a decision taken by someone ticking a box far away from the people that work in stores.”