New Look joins growing list of firms to leave Rotherham town centre

The clothes brand will close the doors to its College Walk store for the final time tomorrow, with the loss of five jobs.

A spokeswoman said its Parkgate Shopping store would continue to trade but staff at the town centre branch would be made redundant rather than transfer.

One worker, who did not want to be named, said: “We have had two weeks' notice that we will be made redundant.

“We actually found out from a worker at the Parkgate store so management must have told them before us.

“They have put signs up saying we are moving but it’s a bit of a con to be honest because the staff aren’t and there’s already a shop at Parkgate.

“I’ve got a young family, as have a lot of the staff, and we’re all a bit devastated to be honest.”

A spokeswoman for New Look confirmed the store will close on Saturday (June 24).

She added: “We are working with affected staff at the moment and always seek to redeploy staff where possible.”

The closure comes just three months after fellow fashion chain Primark announced it would close its High Street store in favour of Parkgate Shopping.

Books and stationery store WH Smith also closed its College Street store last year and Marks and Spencer moved to Parkgate in 2004.

Other recent high street names to leave the town centre include Clinton’s Cards, Thorntons and Poundstretcher.