Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 15 August 2020
Hinckley’s Castle Street-based high-street chocolatier, Thorntons, have sadly confirmed that their branch will not reopen their doors again.
Thorntons last traded in the town centre back in early March, before they had to close their doors due to Government-guided advice regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which meant that residents must be locked down.
As Hinckley’s retailers in the town centre started opening their doors again in June after recovering from the lockdown, Thorntons didn’t open at the same time as them. They remained shut.
Today on Saturday 15 August, signs were placed and signposted in the store windows to inform customers that the retailer will not reopen.
The signs simply read: “We regret to confirm this store will not be reopening.
“You’ll still find all your favourites on thorntons.co.uk”.
Contractors and employees were spotted inside of the space emptying the shelves, putting stock in boxes, and emptying the unit of the former chocolate store of its life, ready to leave it empty for the next occupant to take the unit on.
Speculation started when a ‘to let’ sign was spotted above the store, which is available to let from Oak Property Consultants, that the chocolatiers could remain closed for good.
Thorntons have a franchised location in the Giftilicious store on Queens Road in Nuneaton town centre, just a 17-minute drive away out of Hinckley.
A spokesperson for the high street chocolatier commented on the closure and stated that the decision to permanently close was ‘not taken lightly’, and they will support staff affected by the closure.
The Thorntons spokesperson said: “We are committed to transforming and growing the much loved and iconic Thorntons brand.
“To be able to do this, we must ensure we have a store estate that meets changing consumer needs and operates as a commercially viable retail business.
“As a result of our most recent review, we have taken the difficult decision not to re-open the Thorntons on Castle Street in Hinckley.
“This decision was not taken lightly and we understand that this will be an uncertain and concerning time for our colleagues.
“We will support all of our colleagues who are affected through individual consultations.”