MYSTERY surrounds the future of a high street video game retailer in the city.
GAME in Broad Street Worcester, sells gaming consoles and accessories and it is uncertain if this outlet will close in a nationwide cull.
An employee at the Worcester branch was unaware of any closures when the Worcester News rang up.
The company is intending to close around 40 stores as part of a “store rationalisation programme”.
It believed is will impact “outlets owned mostly by Intu and New River.”
It is understood by the Worcester News that neither company own the Broad Street shop.
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A spokesperson for GAME said: “We are working closely with landlords throughout the UK to ensure that we do not have to vacate the 40 locations which could lead to a number of job losses.
“However, we are facing a challenging retail market and GAME needs to restructure.
“Landlords need to work with us in setting realistic, fair rents.”
As reported in the Worcester News, high street stores in the city are closing or have closed.
HMV will close its High Street outlet on January 25 after its new owner said the store was ‘no longer a viable business option.’
A spokesman from HMV said: “Regretfully we can confirm that HMV Worcester will be closing, despite our desire to continue trading in this location.”
Premium skincare brand L’Occitane en Provence, also on the high Street, has closed, saying it is due to the lease ending.
The France based brand that sells luxury skincare, fragrances, hair care and gifts first opened in the city in 2015.
However, the city’s Debenhams branch is safe for now, despite the department store chain announcing 19 closures nationwide at the beginning of the week.
In July last year, Patisserie Valerie, part of a bakery chain closed its business on Broad Street, Worcester despite the franchise being bought out of administration by a private equity firm.
Patisserie Valerie confirmed it was to shut down 14 of its smaller patisseries.
Bonmarché fell into administration in October.
The firm has 316 stores nationally, including one in Crowngate Shopping Centre. 2,900 jobs are at risk.
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