A huge clearance sale is being held at Orvis on Pulteney Bridge in Bath as it prepares to shut down.
The outdoor clothing retailer is shutting its iconic store as the brand made a “strategic decision” to refocus its UK business on fly fishing and is closing all but one of its outlets and its main office.
Only the store near its famous southern England chalkstream beats in Stockbridge will remain; the rest including its flagship London premises are shutting.
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Huge signs on the Bath store saw crowds flocking to the clearance sale. Bath Live has asked Orvis to confirm the final sale date but the brand has said all stores will shut by the end of this month.
Orvis president Simon Perkins said: “We have made the strategic decision to refocus our UK business around a core pillar of our brand: fly fishing.
“Orvis is growing, and we are focusing and investing in areas that will support future sustainable growth. With our current operating model in the UK, there was not a viable financial path forward that would support that goal.
“This challenge is made increasingly difficult by global economic realities including unfavourable exchange rates, Brexit and Covid. Prior to March 31, we will close our regional office in Andover, Hampshire, as well as most of our retail stores.
“We will continue to operate the Orvis store in Stockbridge to serve and grow our fly fishing customer base there. Our UK customers can continue to expect an online experience and services they have come to know and trust from Orvis.
“Decisions like these are always difficult because they impact people. For Orvis UK associates, this refocus will mean a scale-down of the team and we are investing the time and resources needed to honour and support this team throughout this process.”
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The company’s Sporting Adventures side will continue to provide services with the fishing lettings on the beats of the River Test and Itchen and the Orvis festivals confirmed for 2022 will be taking place.
Its website, meanwhile, will transition to selling solely fly fishing products.
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