CHOCOLATE lovers will be eager to find out what will become of Thorntons in Chester following an announcement that the company will close 120 stores over the next three years.
Staff at the Eastgate Street branch continued serving their popular ice cream and chocolates to shoppers following the news on Tuesday, June 28. A further 60 stores may also close and stores with leases due to expire are expected to go first.
Peter Owen, of Legat Owen surveyors in Chester, who act for the owners of the building, confirmed that the lease on the store expired on February 20 this year.
He said: “Thorntons have given assurance that they intend to take up a new lease and negotiations are ongoing.”
Speaking on behalf of Thorntons Georgina Hall, of financial and corporate communications company Cardew Group, said: “Due to the sensitive nature of the store closure plan, we are not providing detailed information on the location of any potential store closures.”
Thorntons is allegedly home to Chester’s most famous ghost, Sarah who was jilted on her wedding day. She was so distraught she returned to her home in Eastgate Street and hanged herself.
Her antics are said to include upsetting a Valentine’s Day display of heart- shaped boxes.
