See which Shoe Zone stores are earmarked for closure in Shropshire

The shoe retailer cited the Labour government's autumn Budget as the reason behind the store closures, saying that the stores were 'unviable'.

In a financial update the group said: "These additional costs have resulted in the planned closure of a number of stores that have now become unviable."

The confirmation of the closures comes after the business was already in the process of closing its loss-making stores over the past year.

The group revealed in October that it had already shuttered 26 stores on a net basis - 53 stores closing and 27 opened - in the year to September 28.

Talking to the Daily Mail, the chief executive of Shoe Zone, Anthony Smith, said: "Shoe Zone has experienced very challenging trading conditions, principally a weakening of consumer confidence and unseasonal weather, both of which have decreased revenue and profit.

"Consumer confidence has weakened further following the government's Budget in October 2024. The company will incur significant additional costs due to the increases in National Insurance and the National Living Wage, resulting in the closure of 20 stores that have now become unviable.

"We are very grateful to our teams in these stores for their continued dedication and hard work over the years and are doing all we can to support them.

"We remain committed to serving customers via our extensive store network and online."

See the list of Shropshire locations at risk of closure below.

• Telford

• Shrewsbury

• Oswestry