The store closures in Berkshire during the Covid pandemic

A number of top brands have abandoned the town centre, either because of financial collapse or new stores opening elsewhere.

Non-essential retailers were forced to close three times over the last 12 months, under national lockdowns introduced by the government to stop the rising coronavirus infection rates.

As well as this, shops missed out on key events including Christmas, Black Friday and Valentines Day.

READ MORE: One of Berkshire's oldest car boot sales has reopened

So, more than a year on since the pandemic, how many shops in Berkshire survived? Here are just some of the shops which cease to exist.

Bracknell

Next

Next

Possibly one of Bracknell's biggest losses was Next closing down in The Peel Centre.

They announced in September last year that they would cease trading and operate their only store in The Lexicon.

Topshop

Topshop was the most recent store to permanently close in The Lexicon.

Thousands of stores across the UK including their most successful flagship store in Oxford Street was forced to close down for good.

ALSO READ: The 7 nightclubs that closed in Berkshire since 2012

Luckily for those who love Topshop clothes, you can still shop online on ASOS.

Kiko Milano

Another outlet hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic was this beauty shop in the town centre.

The Italian brand had been set up in the regenerated town centre since it opened in 2017.Kiko Milano still has stores in Reading, Windsor and Guildford.

The Oracle, Reading

Debenhams

Department store Debenhams entered administration in April before announcing in May that another five of its UK stores, including Reading's, would not reopen following the easing of lockdown.

The retailer said that despite "best efforts" it had been unable to agree terms with shopping centre owner Hammerson to reopen the branches.

In November 2020, Debenhams' main concession operator Arcadia also entered administration, leading to the collapse of talks with JD Sports over a potential rescue.

Following this, the company announced it would be liquidated.

In January this year, Boohoo bought the Debenhams brand and website for £55m, but did not retain any stores, meaning the loss of up to 12,000 jobs.

Cath Kidston

Homeware company Cath Kidston closed its retail stores in the UK, including on Reading's Broad Street, in September 2020/

However, the brand continues to operate online.

Paperchase

The main store in town officially closed just before the pandemic took hold, in February 2020.

But the chain confirmed it would relocate to another site in Reading, with the brand's items still being sold in department stores in The Oracle.

However, in January the company said it was on the brink of administration.

Sweatshop

In September, specialist running store Sweatshop announced it would be closed.

In a statement posted on the company's Facebook page at the time, it was revealed that the pandemic had hit the company hard, leaving owners no choice but to close.

Pret a Manger, Broad Street

Pret a Manger, Broad Street

Pret a Manger was not seeing enough customers to keep the Broad Street branch afloat, and the company announced the Reading coffee shop would remain closed in July 2020.

However, other Pret cafés remain in the town, including outside Reading Station.

Maidenhead High Street

New Look

Maidenhead town has seen many retailers close their doors for good, including New Look.

The retailer closed just before the Covid-19 pandemic took place but it's close has been a sight for sore eyes ever since.

Monsoon

Right next door to New Look was Moonsoon Accessorize, which permanently closed its doors after it was announced that the company was closing 35 stores.

Hardedge

According to the Maidenhead Advertiser, independent skate shop Hardedge was forced to close its store in Maidenhead due to the 'excessive rents, business rates and service charges'.

The unique store which sold branded clothing has been closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tesco Metro

Back in June 2020, Tesco decided to announce their closure from the Nicholsons Centre. They permanently closed in September.

Windsor

Topshop

Windsor Yards lost a great fashion store back in February 2020 following the permanent closure of Lakeland, which shut its doors after 14 years.

Timberland

Timberland was another store to announce its closure from the Windsor Yards and it hadn't been open for long.

At the time of the store closures announcement, Paul Roach, Windsor town manager, said: “Retailers have struggled, hospitality has struggled and is likely to continue to struggle, and the fear that there is a second lockdown about to take place.”

Laura Ashley

In March 2020, Laura Ashley decided to close its doors in Peascod Street, Windsor with the British retailer struggling to cope during the coronavirus pandemic.