IT HAS been a difficult year for retail, with many businesses feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis impacting sales along with changing shopping habits.

Various high street stores and out-of-town retailers have been forced to close branches across the country, and Basingstoke has seen the impact of this in the town centre and retail parks, with many shops having to shut for good.

Here we look at some of the much-loved shops we said goodbye to in the town in 2023.

Wilko

Basingstoke Gazette: WilkoIt was a sad day for many when Wilko closed its store in The Malls on October 5.

The hardware and furnishings retailer went into administration in September after coming under pressure from weak consuming spending and debts to suppliers, resulting in administrators PwC closing stores across the country.

Wilko was originally founded by James Kemsey Wilkinson in Leicester in 1930 and employed 12,500 workers before its collapse.

Basingstoke Service Centre

Basingstoke Gazette: Just before the start of 2023 Basingstoke Service Centre closed on December 31, 2022.

Husband and wife Jim and Sandra O’Reilly announced the closure of the centre, in Basingstoke’s Top of Town, after more than 40 years.

The couple shared the sad news with customers saying: “Several factors have brought us to this decision – age, the demise of the high street (particularly the Top of Town Basingstoke), a change in shopping habits and manufacturers and distributors not supporting smaller businesses.”

Carey’s

Basingstoke Gazette: Hairdressing shop Carey’s closed its Basingstoke branch in March after more than 60 years in the town.

Carey’s, which was in Church Street at the Top of Town, told its customers it had closed the shop “with a heavy heart” because of rising costs and competition.

The shop opened in Basingstoke in 1960 by Ian Carey.

Café Nero

Basingstoke Gazette: Basingstoke said goodbye to coffee shop Café Nero when it suddenly closed its branch in Festival Place on April 12.

The café closed because of circumstances ‘beyond our control’, according to a sign posted on the door.

The Framemakers Galleries

Basingstoke Gazette: The Framemakers Galleries Ltd on Wote Street closed on Saturday, September 30Art gallery and bespoke framemakers The Framemakers Galleries in Wote Street closed on Saturday, September 30.

A sign placed on the front of the shop at the Top of Town said: “We are very sorry to be leaving Basingstoke after so many years and would like to thank our loyal customers for their support.”

TTHL Traditional Butchers

Basingstoke Gazette: TTHL Traditional ButchersAfter 17 years serving the community in Basingstoke, TTHL Traditional Butchers closed its shop in Kings Road, South Ham on October 19.

Thanking its customers, a post on the butcher’s Facebook page said: “It is with real sadness that TTHL Traditional Butchers will be closing its doors and pulling down the shutters for the final time.”

Mountain Warehouse

Basingstoke Gazette: After five years in Basingstoke, Mountain Warehouse closed its store in Festival Place in June.

The shopping centre’s director Neil Churchill announced in April that the store would be closing and said: “We understand that people will be disappointed and we are sad to see them leave.”

Poundland

Basingstoke Gazette: Poundland in Chineham Shopping CentreThe Poundland branch in Chineham Shopping Centre will close at the end of this year.

The shop sells a range of budget goods, including food, drink, stationery, home decorations and seasonal items.

Staff at the shop said the branch would close on December 31.