Thing-Me-Bobs in Sudbury to close down after talks over lease fail

A discount store retailer in Sudbury will close its doors next month after failing to reach an agreement over future trading.

Thing-Me-Bobs in the Borehamgate precinct has been leasing the site in King Street from Babergh District Council for five years.

Following months of protracted talks, it failed to reach an agreement over the cost of leasing the site.

The retailer is an independent family-owned chain of high street stores, which is part of The QD Group, and operates another discount store within the town in East Street.

Nick Rubins, chief executive of the QD Group, said: “It is with great regret that we have to announce the closure of Thing-Me-Bobs in Sudbury, which will have its final trading day on Saturday, June 16.

“Despite months of negotiations, we have been unable to reach agreement with the council to continue to trade on the site.

Decisions relating to property are always complex and are not taken easily: they in no way reflect the hard work undertaken by our staff.”

Nine staff affected by the closure have all been offered positions within the group, with one member having accepted another role soon to be redeployed to the QD store in Sudbury.

Babergh District Council leader John Ward, who is also cabinet member for the economy, said: “Our appointed agent negotiated on behalf of the council but QD stores was unwilling to pay anything more than a nominal rent, whereas the other units all pay a market rent.

“The council bought the shopping centre as an investment and needs to generate a return on this to pay for vital public services, as central government funding for local authorities decreases.

“With the existing QD store and Roys, there will be no lessening of the retail offering in Sudbury.”