Select Fashion Chippenham Store Closure: Emery Gate Shutdown Means for Local Shoppers

The Select Fashion Chippenham store closure has left many local shoppers surprised, especially those who regularly visited the branch at Emery Gate Shopping Centre. Select Fashion has long been a familiar name on UK high streets, known for affordable women’s clothing, seasonal basics, and trend-led fashion at budget prices. However, the closure of the Chippenham store is not an isolated event. It forms part of a wider pattern of store closures and restructuring across the Select Fashion retail chain, as the company continues to respond to major changes in the UK retail market. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Select Fashion Chippenham store closure, including what likely caused it, how it connects to Select Fashion’s broader financial challenges, what this means for Emery Gate and the local high street, and what options remain for shoppers in Chippenham.

Select Fashion Chippenham Store Closure Confirmed at Emery Gate Shopping Centre

The Select Fashion store in Chippenham, located in Emery Gate Shopping Centre, has now closed permanently. For many residents, the branch was a convenient place to pick up affordable fashion items without needing to travel to nearby cities like Bath, Swindon, or Bristol.

The closure has triggered local conversations about the future of the town centre and the continued decline of traditional retail. While Chippenham remains an active market town with a strong community, the loss of another national retailer adds to concerns about the long-term health of the high street.

Select Fashion’s Chippenham branch was particularly known for:

• low-cost everyday clothing
• seasonal fashion (spring/summer and autumn/winter collections)
• budget-friendly accessories
• casual workwear and basics
• promotional discounts throughout the year

For regular customers, the shutdown feels like another sign of how quickly the UK retail landscape is changing.

Why Did Select Fashion Close the Chippenham Store?

When people hear about a store closure, the first question is always: why?

The truth is, the Select Fashion Chippenham store closure appears to be part of a broader corporate strategy, rather than a single local issue. Across the UK, retailers have been forced to make difficult decisions due to rising costs and shifting consumer habits.

UK High Street Retail Is Under Heavy Pressure

The UK high street has faced years of disruption. Even before recent economic challenges, brick-and-mortar retailers were already competing against:

• online-only fashion brands
• fast delivery expectations
• social media shopping habits
• resale platforms like Vinted and Depop
• increased price sensitivity from consumers

For a value retailer like Select Fashion, which traditionally relied on footfall and impulse purchases, these changes can be extremely difficult.

Rising Business Costs for Physical Stores

Running a store in a shopping centre or town centre isn’t cheap. Many retailers have struggled with:

• increased rent and service charges
• higher staffing costs
• energy bills
• supply chain disruption
• Inflation is impacting customer spending

Even if a store is moderately popular, it can still become financially unsustainable if the overheads are too high.

Select Fashion Has Been Restructuring Its Store Estate

Select Fashion has been undergoing restructuring, including store closures across multiple towns and regions.

Reports in the UK retail press have indicated that Select Fashion has been reducing the number of stores it operates as part of efforts to stabilise the business and focus on stronger-performing locations.

In that context, the closure of the Chippenham branch looks like a strategic decision: shutting stores that are no longer delivering the profitability needed to justify continued operation.

Is the Chippenham Closure Part of a Wider Select Fashion Store Closure Programme?

Yes — and this is a key point.

The Select Fashion Chippenham store closure is believed to be linked to a wider list of store closures across the UK. Select Fashion has reportedly been reviewing multiple branches, with several earmarked for closure as part of cost-cutting and restructuring.

This is not unusual in UK retail. In recent years, many well-known names have reduced their store count dramatically, including:

• New Look
• River Island
• Wilko (before collapse)
• Debenhams (before closure)
• Peacocks (restructuring)
• Poundland (store reviews)

Select Fashion is part of the same overall retail trend: fewer physical stores, more online focus, and tighter control of operating costs.

What Happened to the Staff at Select Fashion Chippenham?

One of the most important parts of any store closure is the impact on employees.

While Select Fashion has not publicly released store-by-store employment details, closures typically result in:

• redundancies
• staff transfers (if nearby stores exist)
• reduced working hours
• short notice periods for employees

For a town like Chippenham, the loss of retail jobs can hit hard, particularly because many high street roles are filled by local residents who depend on stable part-time or full-time employment.

Retail closures don’t just affect shoppers. They also affect:

• local job availability
• the local economy
• footfall in nearby shops
• spending in the town centre

What Does the Closure Mean for Emery Gate Shopping Centre?

The closure of a known retailer like Select Fashion can have a ripple effect, particularly in a shopping centre environment.

Reduced Footfall

A store like Select Fashion tends to bring regular, repeat visits. Customers who pop in for clothing often also spend money elsewhere in the centre, such as:

• cafés
• convenience retailers
• beauty shops
• supermarkets nearby
• small independent businesses

With one less anchor store, there’s a risk of reduced foot traffic, which can affect the shopping centre’s overall performance.

Vacant Units and Perception

Even a single empty unit can change how a place feels. Vacancies often create a perception that a town centre is “declining,” even when other businesses are performing well.

This matters because consumer confidence influences how likely people are to visit and spend.

Opportunity for New Businesses

On the positive side, store closures can create opportunities. A vacant unit may be filled by:

• a new fashion retailer
• a discount store
• a homeware brand
• a pop-up shop
• an independent local business

The long-term impact depends heavily on how quickly the space is re-let and what replaces it.

Where Can Shoppers Go Now After the Select Fashion Chippenham Store Closure?

For shoppers who relied on Select Fashion in Chippenham, the closure means they will need to adjust their routines.

Shopping at Other Select Fashion Locations

Depending on where you live in Wiltshire, the nearest Select Fashion store may now be in a neighbouring town or city. Many shoppers may choose to travel to larger retail hubs like:

• Swindon
• Bath
• Bristol
• Salisbury

However, travel costs and time make this less convenient, especially for people who prefer shopping locally.

Shopping Online with Select Fashion

Select Fashion continues to operate online. Many retailers are now shifting their strategy toward:

• e-commerce
• click-and-collect
• online promotions
• social media-driven marketing

If Select Fashion’s online store remains active, customers may still be able to purchase:

• dresses
• tops
• jeans
• coats
• loungewear
• accessories

That said, online shopping doesn’t replace the experience of trying items on in-store, especially for sizing and fit.

Alternative Budget Fashion Options in Chippenham

Chippenham shoppers may now turn to other affordable fashion retailers, including:

• supermarkets offering clothing ranges
• nearby discount retailers
• independent clothing stores
• charity shops and second-hand stores
• online retailers such as ASOS, Boohoo, or Shein

This shift is part of a much larger national trend in which shoppers are blending in-store shopping with online purchases and second-hand options.

Why Are So Many UK Fashion Retailers Closing Stores?

The Select Fashion Chippenham store closure is part of a much wider picture. UK fashion retail is one of the most competitive and volatile sectors, and store closures have become increasingly common.

Changing Shopping Habits

Modern consumers often:

• Browse online first
• Compare prices instantly
• Wait for discount codes
• Buy fewer “fast fashion” items
• spend more carefully due to cost-of-living pressures

Competition from Online-First Brands

Online brands can often operate with:

• lower overheads
• fewer staff costs
• no physical rent
• centralised logistics

This creates an uneven playing field for high street retailers.

Declining Town Centre Footfall

Footfall in many UK town centres has dropped due to:

• remote working
• reduced commuting
• changing leisure patterns
• increased home delivery

In smaller towns, even a moderate decline can have significant consequences for retailers.

Could Select Fashion Close More Stores?

Based on the broader restructuring patterns reported for Select Fashion, it’s possible the company may continue reviewing stores.

Retail restructuring is rarely a one-time event. Brands often:

• Close underperforming stores
• renegotiate leases
• Focus on core locations
• Invest in online operations

The Chippenham closure could be part of a larger long-term plan to reduce physical presence and focus on profitability.

Local Reaction: What the Select Fashion Chippenham Store Closure Says About the High Street

For Chippenham residents, the closure may feel like a loss — not just of a shop, but of a familiar part of town centre life.

High street closures can affect the town in ways that aren’t always obvious at first:

• fewer reasons to visit the centre
• less casual browsing
• Reduced social interaction in shopping areas
• knock-on effects for other retailers

At the same time, towns like Chippenham often prove resilient. If the empty unit is quickly filled and the town centre continues to evolve, the closure may become just one chapter in a broader transition.

Final Thoughts: Select Fashion Chippenham Store Closure and What Comes Next

The Select Fashion Chippenham store closure is another reminder of how quickly UK retail is changing. While it’s disappointing for local shoppers who valued the convenience and affordability of Select Fashion at Emery Gate Shopping Centre, it reflects broader pressures affecting fashion retailers nationwide.

Select Fashion, like many high street brands, has been facing rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and strong online competition. The closure of the Chippenham branch appears to be part of a wider store review and restructuring process.

For Chippenham itself, the key question now is: what replaces it? If the vacant space is re-let quickly, the long-term impact may be limited. If not, it could exacerbate challenges in the town centre.

Either way, the closure is a significant moment for local retail — and one that many shoppers will remember.

FAQs About Select Fashion Chippenham Store Closure