B&M Confirms Closure of Walton Store in Liverpool 2026

Key Points

• Confirmation of B&M closing County Road store in Walton, Liverpool.
• The store is scheduled to shut down on Friday, November 6, 2026.
• Employees affected will be given job opportunities in other B&M shops near the closed shop.
• B&M suggests customers to visit the stores located on Great Homer Street and Utting Avenue.
• The company insists that it will continue providing service to Liverpool customers.
• B&M runs over 700 stores in the UK and has employed over 35,000 employees.

Walton (Liverpool standard) September 09, 2026 – B&M has confirmed that its discount store on County Road in Walton, Liverpool, will close later this year, with the final trading day set for Friday, November 6, 2026. The announcement marks another adjustment in the retailer’s UK estate as it continues to refine its store network amid shifting consumer habits and competitive pressures in the value retail sector.

What is happening to the B&M store on County Road in Walton?

B&M confirmed on Wednesday, September 9, that its Walton branch on County Road will cease trading in early November. In a statement shared with the ECHO, a B&M spokesperson said: “We remain committed to bringing the best possible B&M stores and shopping experience to our customers across Liverpool.” The retailer added that customers would “continue to find the same great B&M value” at nearby stores, specifically highlighting branches on Great Homer Street and Utting Avenue, both approximately one mile away and featuring Garden Centre formats with expanded product ranges.

The firm also confirmed that all colleagues affected by the November 6 closure would be offered employment at other local B&M stores in the surrounding area. The statement concluded: “We’d like to thank our customers for their continued support and look forward to welcoming them into our other Liverpool stores.”

Where else does B&M operate in Merseyside?

B&M maintains a significant presence across Merseyside. As reported in local coverage, the chain operates stores in Clayton Square in Liverpool city centre, The Rock Retail Park in Birkenhead, and Bootle New Strand Shopping Centre. The retailer’s UK headquarters are in Speke, Liverpool, underlining the region’s importance to the business.

The company was founded in 1978, with its first store opening in Blackpool, before expanding into one of the UK’s leading discount chains. As of 2022, B&M operated around 700 stores across the UK and employed more than 35,000 staff. The Walton closure will reduce the number of Liverpool sites but leaves multiple alternatives within easy reach for local shoppers.

Why is B&M closing the Walton store now?

B&M did not provide a detailed public explanation for the specific closure beyond confirming the date and outlining redeployment options for staff. The retailer regularly announces new store openings and refurbishments elsewhere, with recent upgrades reported at its Sunderland and Wigan locations. Such moves are typical of large chains that periodically review site performance, lease terms, and local catchment dynamics to optimise their estate.

The decision comes against a backdrop of active investor interest in B&M’s shares. On September 9, 2026, the company disclosed that chief executive Tjeerd Jegen purchased 165,477 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange, a transaction valued at approximately £385,000. Analyst commentary in early September noted that RBC had raised its price target for B&M to 275p from 240p while maintaining an “outperform” rating, citing signs that the retailer’s turnaround was gaining traction. At the same time, market reports highlighted broader sector headwinds and mixed UK retail data as factors influencing sentiment.

What products does the Walton B&M store sell?

B&M is known for selling discounted homeware, groceries, and everyday household essentials. The Walton branch on County Road has served local residents with value-priced goods across these categories, consistent with the chain’s national offer. Shoppers in the area have also seen B&M promote seasonal lines and limited-supply homeware items in recent weeks, including new portable heated lunch boxes and decorative display pieces advertised across the UK network.

How will staff and customers be affected by the closure?

Staff at the County Road store will be offered employment at other local B&M branches, according to the company’s statement. This approach is standard practice for large retailers when closing individual sites, aiming to retain trained colleagues within the local labour market while minimising redundancies.

For customers, B&M is directing trade to nearby stores on Great Homer Street and Utting Avenue, both around one mile from the Walton site and featuring Garden Centre formats with wider ranges. The firm’s website and in-store communications are expected to carry further details as the November 6 closure date approaches.

Background: How did B&M grow into a major UK discount chain?

B&M was founded in 1978, with its first store opening in Blackpool before expanding into one of the UK’s leading discount retailers. The business grew through a combination of new store openings, acquisitions, and a focus on value pricing across groceries, homeware, and general merchandise. By 2022, the group reported around 700 UK stores and a workforce exceeding 35,000 employees. Its European arm, B&M European Value Retail plc, is listed on the London Stock Exchange and reports interim and full-year results on a regular timetable; the company has confirmed it will publish FY27 interim figures for the 26 weeks to September 26, 2026, on November 12, 2026.

Recent investor activity suggests continued confidence in the group’s direction. Alongside the CEO’s share purchase on September 7, 2026, analysts at RBC lifted their price target, pointing to improving operational performance. At the same time, broader UK retail conditions remain mixed, with ongoing scrutiny of discount claims and promotional practices following updated government guidance on “genuine” price reductions.

Prediction: How could the Walton closure affect Liverpool shoppers and workers?

The closure of the County Road B&M is likely to shift local shopping patterns rather than remove access to value retail in the area. Shoppers in Walton and nearby neighbourhoods are expected to migrate to the Great Homer Street and Utting Avenue stores, both of which offer larger formats with Garden Centre ranges. For some residents, particularly those without cars or with limited mobility, the additional distance could make trips less frequent or push demand toward alternative nearby discounters and convenience outlets.

For workers, the offer of redeployment to other local branches should limit immediate job losses, though some colleagues may face longer commutes or changes to shift patterns depending on staffing needs at receiving stores. In the wider Liverpool labour market, the move reflects ongoing adjustments in the retail sector as chains optimise their estates in response to online competition, changing footfall, and cost pressures.

Over the longer term, if B&M continues to prioritise larger, multi-format sites with expanded ranges, Liverpool could see further consolidation of smaller urban branches in favour of bigger stores on main routes or retail parks. For shoppers, this trend may mean fewer but more comprehensive destinations; for workers, it could mean more competition for roles at remaining sites and greater emphasis on flexibility across locations.