Mothercare closing Sunderland store after more than 50 years in city

The Mothercare shop in Sunderland’s High Street West is closing next month as part of what the retailer calls “part of a larger transformation plan for our business.”

The Echo understands the decision will affect around seven people working at the shop.

Confirming the closure, a company spokesman said: “Mothercare Sunderland will close on Thursday, March 16, 2017.

“We will be emailing our customers in the local area to advise of the changes and provide details of the nearest stores, Mothercare Gateshead and Mothercare North Shields.

“We greatly value all our customers in the 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.”

One former employee, who did not wish to be named, said it is very sad news not just for current staff and customers, but for business in the city,

She said: “I think it will be a really big loss for Sunderland, especially now that BHS has gone.

“The staff are really upset, some of them have worked there for a very long time.

“There have been threats of closure three times before, but it didn’t go ahead.”

Mothercare first opened in the city centre in the 1960s. It then moved to its current home in High Street West in the early 1980s, where it has stayed ever since.

The company is a specialist retailer of products for parents, babies and children up to the age of eight.

Mothercare opened its first store in 1961 in Surrey and currently has more than 1,300 stores worldwide.