Newark residents share views on closure of Claire’s in St Marks Place, Newark

The people of Newark have reacted to news of yet another high street shop closing down.

Over the weekend the accessories and jewellery retailer Claire’s, located in St Mark’s Place, shut its doors for good.

The news about the store, which has been a staple of Newark’s high street since it opened in 2002, sparked a debate on social media with over 100 commenters sharing their views.

Many expressed their disappointment that another unit in the town centre would now be left empty, adding to dozens of others.

Vicky Robertson said: “Another one closing? Such a shame to see our little town with all these empty shops, I myself don’t go into town anymore because there’s nothing there.”

Helen Howell added: “Catch 22 again, shops close, people stop coming, more shops close.

“Such a sad time as I only said last week, at least Claire’s and New Look are still here - ‘sods law’.”

A common belief is that rents in the town centre are too high to sustain business, with the majority of buildings owned by private investors and landlords, beyond the control of Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Tracey Hickman said: “I believe that Newark rents are way too expensive and this is why there are so many closures.”

And others, such as Stewart Codd, wondered if Claire’s might consider moving into one of the many other vacant retail units in the town centre with lower rents.

Some had a more drastic approach, including Ivan Bass, who said: “St Marks is so outdated, best thing that could happen is all the shops close down and it gets bulldozed. Past 20 years it’s been poor.”

He wasn’t alone, with Adrian Sunman also saying: “It's time St Mark's Place went. It's a tired, badly designed, 1970s development which has outlived its usefulness.”

What are your thoughts? What more could be down to protect shops on the high street?