Major chain to shut high street shops for good in DAYS as closing down sales launched...

A HUGE high street retailer is pulling the shutters down on several shops over the next few days.

Shoppers are making the most of clearance sales at axed sites across the country.

It comes as New Look bosses made the decision to chop branches in St Austell and Gateshead, Tyne and Wear next week.

The major chain plans to close nearly 100 locations as they battle challenges linked to Autumn Budget tax changes.

The site at Team Valley Retail World in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear will shutter on March 9.

In a post on Facebook, people were urged to head to New Look "before it's too late" for their clearance sale.

All swimwear has been priced at £1, while tops are £3, dresses are £5, bottoms are £7 and boots are £12.

A shopper on the social media site added that jumpers, coats and shoes are also reduced but are all at different prices.

Another posted a picture of their haul, which included an array of tops and dresses.

Meanwhile, the St Austell branch in Cornwall will close on Tuesday, March 4.

Shoppers disappointed to lose another high street clothing option vented their frustrations on social media.

They dubbed the news "devastating" and "terrible", saying there had already been "so many closures" in the area.

Others said the decision was "absolutely shocking", with one complaining: "There will be nothing left in St Austell, such a shame!!"

It comes after the closure of the fashion retailer's branch in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf earlier in February.

And since the retailer announced its plans to speed up downsizing, a total of six stores have either shut their doors or been earmarked to close.

New Look's store in the Carillon Court Shopping Centre, Loughborough, closed on January 21.

Elsewhere, it's Wickford, Essex branch shut on January 24, while the Bracknell Peel Centre shop closed on January 30.

Approximately a quarter of the retailer's 364 stores are at risk when their leases expire.

This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on New Look's 8,000-strong workforce.

Back in 2018, New Look had about 600 stores across the UK.

It's understood the latest drive to accelerate closures is driven by the upcoming increase in National Insurance contributions for employers.

The move, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October, is expected to hit retailers hard - and the British Retail Consortium has predicted these changes will create a £2.3billion bill for the sector.

A New Look spokesperson said previously: "Our store estate is an important part of our business, alongside our best-in-class website and app.

"We have recently invested over £3million in our stores in Greater Manchester to trial new omnichannel initiatives to improve customer experience.

"We also continue to invest in our thriving online platform which has resulted in a strong online sales performance, with volumes significantly outpacing last year and an improved online margin.

"On occasion we do have to close stores, either due to the landlord’s request or because the site becomes unviable.

"However, we always remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country and continue to invest in our existing store estate."

And New Look isn't the only retailer struggling.

The WHSmith brand name looks set to vanish from British high streets after 230 years.

In a fresh update, Boots UK also told The Sun that 253 stores have now shut as part of cost-cutting plans.

Meanwhile, Homebase launched a big closing down sale as two more stores will shut amid 35 closures this month.