Shoppers have reacted with sadness and anger after The Original Factory Shop in Staple Hill announced that it is set to close down. The discount outlet on Broad Street is due to shut its doors for the last time on July 15, leaving a much-used store empty for the foreseeable future.
And when Bristol Live visited the high street this week, shoppers expressed frustration that such a popular destination will now disappear - with rumours on social media that it could be turned into a gym. Elaine Stephens, 76, said the closure is 'disgusting'.
"You've got one (gym) across the road and another one here in Staple Hill. We've got more charity shops than anything, we want some proper shops here."
Read more: The Original Factory Shop in Staple Hill closing down
Elaine said that she often uses the shop, and she thinks it should be replaced with a clothes or shoe store if it must be replaced at all. And her fellow shopper, 89-year-old Thelma Coles, was also disappointed by the news.
She is worried about rising prices and feels that losing a discount store is a shame, while she thinks that the rise in internet shopping may be to blame.
"I think things have changed, there's nothing up here any more. Even the butcher's has gone up in price."
Roy Brady, from Downend, feels the same way. He says he often uses the shop because it sells such a wide variety of items, from pet food to shoes.
"They've got a complete mixture of different things, you get it all in there. If you look around you will find it somewhere, similar to B&M."
The 64-year-old says he has also heard the rumours about it being turned into a gym, but he is unsure why such a popular shop will no longer serve people in Staple Hill. "For business, it's a busy little shop, so I don't know (why it's closing)."
However, not all shoppers will miss the store when it goes. Bryan Leith, 83, says he did not know that it was closing down, but he doesn't think it will be missed.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much, I don't really use this shop. If Tesco or Iceland closed down that would be a different matter," he said.
A TOFS spokesperson: “As the landlord is looking to redevelop this site, it means that unfortunately we have had to exit the lease at our Staple Hill store. We are seeking to redeploy colleagues that have been affected wherever possible. Our next nearest branch is in Nailsea.”
As the store sells discounted items there will not be a closing down sale.
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