Shoe Zone Announces Closure of Salisbury Store Following Government Tax Criticism
A prominent UK high street shoe chain, Shoe Zone, has confirmed the permanent closure of its Salisbury branch, with distinctive black and yellow "closing down" signs now visible in the shop windows. The retailer, which operates more than 260 stores across the country, has pointed to the Labour Party government's recent tax increases as a key factor in this decision.
Store Closure Timeline and Previous Shutdowns
According to local reports from the Salisbury Journal, the Salisbury store is scheduled to shut its doors for good between April and June 2026. This follows a similar closure in Exmouth last year, where a shopper lamented the loss, noting the landlord's sale of the property led to its final day on August 7th. Over the past year, Shoe Zone has faced significant challenges, closing 36 additional stores nationwide in the 52 weeks since September 2024, as part of what the company described as a "challenging year" for the budget shoe retailer.
Company Blames Government Policies and Economic Pressures
In a statement last month, Shoe Zone Chairman Charles Smith highlighted the difficult trading conditions. He stated, "Trading conditions remained challenging in the first quarter of the new financial year, with revenue down on forecast, reflecting ongoing macro-economic pressures that continue to weigh on consumer confidence, resulting in lower footfall on the UK high street, alongside the highly adverse Government fiscal policies." Smith specifically criticized the November 2025 budget, which included an additional increase in the national living wage, further raising the company's cost base without materially improving consumer sentiment.
Community Reactions and Speculation on Future Use
Local shoppers have expressed mixed reactions to the closure. One customer commented, "Shoezone is now DEFINITELY closing as landlord is selling up....last day 7th August...such a shame....it's definitely going to be missed." Another responded with skepticism, saying, "I feel like we've been here before. If it does close then fingers crossed for a cafe, charity shop or nail bar... always said there's not enough of them in this town." A third shopper noted the store's unique value, typing, "It’s the only place round here that does shoes that fit my weird feet." Others speculated about the future of the location, with suggestions ranging from it becoming a vape shop to concerns about rising rents, as one person questioned, "Why can't the tenancy go with the sale of the building or does someone want to bump rents up more?"
The closure underscores broader issues facing UK high streets, including economic pressures and government policies impacting retail businesses. Shoe Zone's decision reflects a trend of store shutdowns amid challenging fiscal environments, with the company continuing to navigate these hurdles across its extensive network.
