Two long-standing department stores in Essex, located on Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, and George Yard Shopping Centre, Braintree, permanently closed on 26 October 2025 following a closing-down sale. The stores, which sold bedroom and dining furniture, home accessories, flooring, and clothing, had not turned a profit since 2008.
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The decision to close the Quadrant stores was approved in May 2025 by the Chelmsford Star Co-op, which owns the stores alongside 34 Co-op supermarkets across Essex. A statement from the group highlighted "long-term and increasing financial losses" as the reason for the closures.
Chelmsford Star confirmed it is now in a formal consultation process with USDAW to support affected staff, including exploring opportunities for redeployment within the business. The company expressed gratitude to customers for 158 years of patronage, stating, "Our stores are now closed. Thank you for your custom over the last 158 years."
The closures mark the end of a historic chapter in Essex retail, reflecting wider challenges faced by department stores in the region amid changing shopping habits and financial pressures.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com
