By Ben Hurst

Copyright dailystar

A high street retailer has kicked off a 70% off closing down sale as it gears up to shutter another three stores starting this weekend. It’s yet another hit to Britain’s high streets, but bargain hunters could score some deals as the shop clears its inventory. Hobbycraft is due to close its Crayford, London branch today, Saturday, September 20. This will be followed by the shutting of its King’s Lynn outlet in Norfolk on Monday, September 22 and its Stafford store the following Sunday, September 28. In light of this, the retailer has rolled out massive sales of up to 70% off at all three locations to clear its stock before they close for good. This follows Hobbycraft’s recent closure of its Maidenhead and Chichester branches last Thursday . Shoppers and fans of the store expressed their disappointment on Facebook over the closures, but noted there were some decent bargains to be snapped up. One user commented on the Crayford closure : “I was in there yesterday, stuff reduced by 60%, there was a lot of art and craft stuff but going fast – there were some good bargains.” Another lamented: “It’s a shame so many places are closing, give it a few years and there won’t be anything left. “Not surprised, too much online competition and they can’t keep the price low enough with having to run that building and rent,” chimed in another, reacting to the news that the King’s Lynn Hobbycraft was set to close. Earlier this year Hobbycraft announced plans to shut at least nine stores across the UK in a move affecting up to 126 jobs as part of a restructure. Private equity firm owner Modella Capital is launching the overhaul after buying the arts and crafts retailer in August last year. Modella, which is also reportedly pursuing a restructuring at its The Original Factory Shop business, agreed to buy WH Smith’s high street business earlier this year. Hobbycraft said nine stores will stop trading affecting between 72 and 126 jobs. It added that the future of “a number of other stores” is still being reviewed. The retail chain said the restructuring will also result in redundancies across its Bournemouth head office and distribution centre in Burton-on-Trent. It has not disclosed how many roles this will affect. It said the shake-up is intended to help secure the future of at least 99 stores and 1,800 jobs across the business. Hobbycraft chief executive officer Alex Wilson previously said: “For many our stores are more than just arts and crafts supplies – they have become places for gaining crafting ideas and inspiration. “Very sadly, the strength of our offering has not made us immune from the challenges faced by the retail sector in recent years. “Closing stores is always a last resort and this has been an extremely difficult decision. “Making these changes is sadly a necessary action to enable us to keep our doors open to crafters up and down the country.” – Bagshot, Surrey – Basildon, Essex – Borehamwood, Hertfordshire – Bristol: Imperial Retail Park – Canterbury, Kent – Cirencester, Gloucestershire – Dunstable, Bedfordshire – Epping Forest, Essex – Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex