THE reported closure of a sports retailer is ‘disappointing’ for the Barrow high street.

Sports Direct in Barrow’s Dalton Road is said to be shutting its doors for the final time after more than a decade in the town centre.

A number of signs have been put up across the store windows which states the store is ‘closing down’ and ‘all stock is reduced’.

It’s another blow for an already sparse Dalton Road which has seen Thorntons Café, M&S, Sweet Pepper Café, Cancer Research UK among others shut their doors in recent years.

Paul Hodgson, chairman of Barrow BID, described the impending closure as ‘disappointing’ for the town centre.

He said: “It's always disappointing to see any business closure in our town centre, however unfortunately many national retailers are looking to shrink their store estates, especially in Sports Directs case, where they have a duplication of stores in a town due to previous acquisitions. 

“The way people shop is rapidly changing. People can't think about our town centres as just a place to shop, they need to be a much more diverse offering; somewhere that you visit for multiple different reasons on a regular basis which are at the centre of our communities."

And the response from the Barrow community has been universal sadness following the reported news of another shop’s departure.

Nicola Ann Johnson said: “Knew as soon as they opened the big one that the one in town would soon shut, it’s a shame there will be nothing left in town.”

Liane Pavett said: “There really isn't going to be anything left it’s so sad.”

Larry Ploughman said: “The old phrase comes to mind, use it or lose it. It’s a shame to lose the cheapest store on the discount chains.”

David Armstrong said: “Until people can earn more disposable incomes, businesses closing down or shrinking will be the norm.”

Despite the imminent closure of Sports Direct in the high street, its second shop in the town is going from ‘strength to strength’.

Bosses behind Cornmill Park's Sports Direct, located above the Everlast Fitness Club, told The Mail in October that the store is ‘thriving’ after being taken over two years prior.

The Mail has approached Sports Direct for a comment.