Dry cleaners to close down stores

DRY cleaning firm Johnsons is to close four of its stores across North Wales as it abandons the high street.

Johnson Service Group announced earlier last month plans to close 109 of its 307 Johnson Cleaners UK branches as it continues a shift away from traditional high street locations towards collection and delivery points within supermarkets.

The Weekly News was told by shop staff that stores in Rhyl, Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and Caernarfon will close on various dates in March.

The closures will affect around 16 staff in total and deal a further blow to the region’s high streets. Staff members said they had been told the news today and expressed their disappointment at the shutdowns. It is understood Johnsons outlets within supermarkets at Mold and Wrexham will remain open.

Back in 2007, Johnson operated more than 600 dry cleaning stores around the UK, but the recent rounds of closures will leave just 198 open for business.

The company said the stores bein closed are all “unviable” – they’re simply not making enough money to cover the rent, wages and other costs of keeping them open.

Speaking earlier last month a spokesman from Johnsons said: “The remaining 198 better- performing premium branches are in more convenient locations with an infrastructure capable of receiving dry cleaning from various collection and ry points.” The seaside town f Rhyl has suffered a second blow with Rymans stationary shop also to close. Staff aid they the store ould shut in ch. John Bellis, chairman of Rhyl Business Group, said these closures were a major concerns.

He said the town council and county council had to do more to support regeneration in the town centre to bring more retailers to Rhyl.