Locals are sad to see the fashion retailer leave their high street.
17:59, Sat, Jan 3, 2026 Updated: 17:59, Sat, Jan 3, 2026
The Primark store is closing today (Image: Getty Images )
A major UK high street is losing its Primark store today. The fashion chain is shutting its Dartford branch for good on January 3, as staff prepare to be made redundant.
The store is the first Primark to close in 10 years. Customers have been told the nearest location is now either Bexleyheath or Bluewater, reports Birmingham Live. The closure comes as a shock for the shop which has been a staple for locals.
The fashion chain can be spotted on a huge range of UK high streets (Image: Getty Images )
The news was shared on the Facebook group Dartford Community in a statement which read: “This next week will be a very upsetting time for all the staff, a lot of us are being made redundant, so please be mindful when you're moaning about nothing left in the store. THANK YOU.”
Locals have expressed their disappointment about the news, with many wishing the store would stay open.
One person wrote: “Unfortunately Dartford’s been edging towards a ghost town for a few years now.”
Another one added: “This one going, wilko‘s gone, easy coffee gone, unless something serious happens to boost it, it will soon be goodbye Dartford town centre.”
Primark is an affordable high street brand (Image: Getty Images )
Another person said: “What? Even Primark is leaving Dartford. The town is finished.”
Primark's decision to shut down the location comes as the building was discovered to be in serious need of repair.
Philippa Nibbs, Primark’s director of sales for UK South and South East, told The Sun: “This difficult decision was informed by the extensive repair work required to the building, which given the close proximity to two other Primark stores, is just not viable.
“We’re pleased that more than half of our colleagues will be taking up roles in nearby stores and for those colleagues leaving the business, we are focused on supporting them.
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“We understand this news will be disappointing for our local customers and we are grateful for the support of our customers and the Dartford community over the years.”
Primark celebrated half a century on the British high street in September 2024, 50 years since it first opened its doors in 1974 at Babington Lane, Derby, the site of the first Primark store in Great Britain.