UK high street retailer Coopers has announced it will shut down all of its stores permanently this week, marking the end of an era for the long-running hardware chain.
The company confirmed that all Coopers branches will close their doors for the final time at 3pm on Saturday, October 18, 2025, blaming the ongoing economic climate and soaring business costs for the decision.
Final Trading Day Confirmed for Coopers Stores
In a notice on its official website, Coopers said:
“All branches will permanently cease trading at 3pm on Saturday, October 18.”
The Suffolk-based chain, which has stores across Norfolk and Suffolk and a head office in Worlingham near Beccles, had previously announced plans to close down, citing spiralling bills and economic pressures as the key reasons behind its collapse.
According to reports from the East Anglian Daily Times, the company has been struggling to cope with rising energy bills, rent, and staff costs — challenges that have affected many independent retailers across the UK high street in recent years.
Coopers Launches 50% Closing-Down Sale Before Shutting Doors
Before closing for good, Coopers has launched a final clearance sale, with discounts of up to 50% off in-store. The retailer is encouraging customers to visit their local branch for last-minute bargains before Saturday’s deadline.
However, Coopers has not yet confirmed whether it intends to continue operating its online business or if the website will also be taken offline following the closures.
Full List of Coopers Stores Closing This Weekend
All remaining Coopers locations will close this Saturday, including:
- Beccles
- Bungay
- Halesworth
- Harleston
- Leiston
- Framlingham
These stores have served as community staples for decades, offering DIY tools, home essentials, and local advice to customers across East Anglia.
Staff Share Emotional Goodbye Message
Staff at the Bungay branch posted a heartfelt farewell message to customers on social media:
“Firstly, I would like to thank every customer who has stepped foot through the door over the years. The banter, the laughs and all the support keeping those doors open for so many years — we thank every single one of you, and we will miss serving this lovely little town.
Saturday at 3pm will be the last time I lock the door and walk away from what feels like our second home.”
Another Blow to the UK High Street
Coopers’ closure adds to a growing list of UK high street losses in 2025, with other major retailers such as WHSmith, Morrisons, and Cancer Research UK also announcing store shutdowns this year.
Experts say that small, family-run businesses have been particularly hard-hit by the rising cost of living, energy price hikes, and increased national insurance and wage bills — creating an unsustainable trading environment for many local chains.
Coopers’ exit marks yet another chapter in the ongoing decline of traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, as more consumers turn to online shopping and major chains consolidate their presence.
What’s Next for Local Shoppers?
With Coopers gone, local residents in East Anglia will be left with fewer independent hardware options. It remains to be seen whether other regional or national DIY retailers will step in to fill the gap left by the closure.
For now, customers are being encouraged to visit their local Coopers store before Saturday to take advantage of final discounts and to say goodbye to staff who have served their communities for generations.
