Nine much-missed shops we have loved and lost in Shropshire - from Blockbuster to Debenhams

And there is simply no doubt that these nine Shropshire businesses will ever be forgotten. 

Have we missed a business on our list? Get in touch with our reporter Geha at [email protected] to add to this list. 

Blockbuster

The American company, which began as a home video rental shop and expanded to a multi-national chain offering video game rentals, DVD-by-mail, streaming, video on demand and more, announced nationwide closure in 2013 after it entered administration. 

The Whitchurch site in Brownlow Street was one of the first in Shropshire to go - and was followed by outlets in Shrewsbury and Telford. 

The Shrewsbury location, in Meole Brace Retail Park, became a state-of-the-art M&S.

Maddox

This department store, on the corner of High Street and Pride Hill in Shrewsbury, was frequented plenty by people across the town - and the county. 

It was said to have opened in 1862 and for more than a century, it was one of the finest stores around.

Customers were able to pick up anything they wanted and needed here.

After a number of years, it was taken over by Owen Owen in 1975.

The building, after Owen Owen entered administration in 2007, has since been home to several different retailers.

C&A 

Based at the bottom of Shrewsbury's Pride Hill, C&A may be a shop missed the most nationally.

The Dutch company, which sold budget clothes, was a stalwart in the town for many years.

That branch closed for good in 1998 but the business announced the closure of all of its UK stores in 2001.

Woolworths

When Woolworths announced nationwide closure in 2008, it had more than 800 stores in the UK - one of which was based in Newport's High Street.

It opened in 1934 and moved to a new site on the same street four decades later. After it shut for good, B&M moved into the store.

Its Oswestry site was replaced by Home Bargains while its Whitchurch site was taken over by Poundstretcher. 

BHS

This is one of the more recent closures that have made this list - and that's because BHS was a staple for many households across the country.

After a series of loss-making years, the business, which had a site in Telford Centre, was sold in 2015 to consortium Retail Acquisitions Ltd for a nominal price of £1. 

It entered administration just 13 months later - and all shops shut for good in August 2016.

Debenhams

Debenhams was founded all the way back in 1778 as a single shop in London. 

It took the country by storm with hundreds of stores open nationwide, including a shop in Telford Centre. 

But the company was found to be facing major financial difficulties, entered administration twice in 2019 and 2020 and announced it would be liquidated.

Its last shop shut in May 2021.

Safeway

This British groceries company was founded in the late 1960s. But by 1999, it was coming under criticism for its performance against other supermarket giants like Asda and Tesco.

It was acquired by Morrisons in 2004 and most of its 479 shops were rebranded under the new supermarket chain. 

Many of its sites were sold - John Lewis Partnership snapped up 19 of the others, including the store in Newport.

Toys 'R' Us 

The first Toys 'R' Us store opened in the UK in 1985.

At one point, the children's paradise has more than 105 stores throughout the country - including one in Meole Brace Retail Park, Shrewsbury. 

But in March 2018, after amassing £15m in unpaid taxes and failing to find a buyer, Toys 'R' Us announced all stores would close. They served their last customers the same year.

Netto

Many will remember the Danish company Netto for its vibrant exterior - and great sales.

It arrived in the UK in December 1990. Before it was sold to Asda in 2010, it operated 193 stores including sites in Wellington and Shrewsbury. 

The loss of the shop at the Wrekin Retail Park and the next-door In-Store allowed the supermarket chain to knock through two units and bring the first Asda Living store to Shropshire in 2009.