14 jobs to go as Wolverhampton's Mothercare to shut
Around 14 jobs will be lost as Mothercare in Wolverhampton has announced it will close in three weeks time.
The company has decided to shut its store in the Mander Centre due to the store being 'unprofitable'.
A statement from the company said: "Mothercare at the Mander Centre will close on 5th August 2016. We will be emailing our customers in the Wolverhampton area to advise of the changes and provide details of their nearest Mothercare store, at the Crown Wharf Retail Park, Walsall.
"We greatly value all our customers in the local area and would like to thank them for their continued loyalty and support for Mothercare.
"Whilst we regret the closure of the store, it is part of a larger transformation plan for our business.
"The plan will see us close a small number of our unprofitable stores across the UK whilst investing in cutting-edge online and mobile shopping channels, as well as refurbishing our other stores to make the experience even better for our customers."
Family photography studio Pixifoto, which is located inside the Mothercare store, have announced they will also close on August 5, with their nearest store also being in Walsall.
Ninder Johal, board member of the Black Country Local Enterprise said: "Whilst it's disappointing to hear that the Mothercare store is closing, one must not forget that they've had their own issues with their UK and non-UK stores.
"The Mander Centre is going through a revamp at the moment and I'm sure in time they will attract international brands to utilize the Mothercare space.
"The Black Country and Wolverhampton has been going through a steady stream of improvements recently and this store closure should not be seen to be a barometer of the economic climate of the area.
"The long term future of Wolverhampton, Black Country and the West Midlands can only be going in an upward trajectory due to the new funds generated from devolved powers from local government.
"I'm confident with the new stores coming at the Mander Centre, the redevelopment of Merry Hill and the Civic Centre that the retail jobs potentially being lost will be absorbed."
The news comes after the announcement earlier this year of a planned £35 million revamp of the Mander Centre. The modernisation work is already under way and is set to be completed by autumn next year.
The struggling retailer has already closed more than 100 UK stores over the past five years and announced losses of £103 million in 2012.
In 2014, Mothecare announced 500 jobs were at risk as they made plans to overhaul working hours.
