- Store: Primark in Dartford, Bexley.
- Closure Date: Trading for final time today.
- Type: Permanent closure of high street retailers.
- Location: Dartford’s popular shopping area.
- Impact: Marks end of local retail presence.
The Bexley high street fashion retailer has declared that it would close its Dartford location at the Orchard Shopping Centre today, January 3.
According to a Primark representative, the decision to close the store was reached after the structure required extensive modernization and repairs since the store’s size and demand rendered it “unviable.”
The representative informed News Shopper that the store’s size and low foot traffic had led to the decision to close.
53 jobs have been impacted by the closure, and more than half of the impacted employees now work in neighboring branches.
Today is the last day of trading before the store closes forever at the end of business hours.
Philippa Nibbs, Primark Director of Sales UK, South and South East, said:
“Following the consultation announced in September, we can confirm the closure of our Dartford store, with our last day of trading set for Saturday 3rd January 2026.
This difficult decision was informed by the extensive repair work required to the building, which given the close proximity to two other Primark stores, is just not viable.
We’re pleased that more than half of our colleagues will be taking up roles in nearby stores and for those colleagues leaving the business, we are focused on supporting them.
We understand this news will be disappointing for our local customers and we are grateful for the support of our customers and the Dartford community over the years.”
What support is available for employees losing jobs at the store?
Primark is offering comprehensive support to its 53 affected workers at the Dartford store ending on January 3, 2026, prioritizing relocation and redundancy backing.
Over half the staff( roughly 27 workers) have accepted transfers to larger Primark branches in Bexleyheath and Bluewater, with the company covering relocation costs, training, and trip support during transition.
Remaining workers admit statutory redundancy pay( grounded on age, service length, and daily earnings), plus Primark’s enhanced package including up to 8 weeks’ pay, paid notice ages, vacation pay addendum, and outplacement services via external career trainers for CV jotting, interview fix, and job matching.
