Discount store closure paints ‘concerning’ picture for town’s high street

THE closure of the popular CM3 shop in Melksham’s town centre last week has been described as a ‘massive loss to the town’ with local shopper saying it paints a concerning picture for the town’s high street. 

The discount store at 14 High Street sold partyware, gifts, cards and DIY products and closed down on Wednesday 20th September, with a former staff member saying they were informed at 12.30pm that day that they were losing their jobs due to the company going into liquidation.  

The closure has raised concern among residents about what this means for the future of Melksham’s high street, particularly as several other shops and banks have shut in recent years. 

Big loss

One shopper said, “I was sad to see the shutters down at CM3 and sorry for the staff who have lost their jobs. It’s a really big loss to the town and makes you think about the state of our high street now. We have no shoe shop, men’s clothes shop or haberdashery. Where can you buy buttons or zips?  

“We need to support the businesses we have otherwise we will have nothing. It would be lovely if we could have something a bit different to attract people into the town. Please no more barbers or takeaways!” 

Another resident said, “If so many people continue to buy online, I can only see ‘hands-on’ shops surviving. Many like to think it’s the fault of ‘others’ that we don’t have a greengrocer, shoe shop or clothes shop but as long as we continue to buy online the people that own those types of shops cannot thrive. It’s a real shame. I feel that the town centres will be mainly providers of hands-on services and food outlets sadly.” 

Challenging time

Mayor Simon Crundell said, “We are sorry to see the closure of the town’s much-loved CM3 store. High Streets are facing a challenging time at the moment, but Melksham has far fewer vacant shops than the average across the UK. I look forward to upcoming proposals from Access to Cash UK to discuss options for a new business deposit solution. This will cut the costs of local shops operating on our High Street, providing much-needed support.

“It is so important that we remain optimistic, and support the fantastic local businesses that Melksham has.”

CM3 had stores in Melksham, Calne, Keynsham and Bristol. In a post of its Facebook page on September 20, the business announced, “It is with regret we have gone into liquidation. As of today all our stores are closed. Staff would like to thank each and every one of our customers for their support over the years. Love from all the staff from CM3.” 

The news comes in the same month that homeware and household goods brand, Wilko, announced closure of all its stores across Britain after going into administration and failing to secure a takeover.