Farmfoods Closes Birmingham Store After 24 Years as Staff Cite Shoplifting Crisis
The frozen food retailer Farmfoods has permanently closed its Erdington High Street store in Birmingham, ending more than two decades of trading at the location. The nationwide chain, known for its low prices and frozen goods, shut its doors for the final time on Sunday, February 1st, leaving local shoppers and staff reeling from the loss.
Former Worker Blames Shoplifting and Difficult Conditions
A former shop worker at the now-closed store, who wished to remain anonymous, has pointed to rampant shoplifting in the area as a key factor in the closure. They described how staff were expected to multitask under challenging circumstances, acting as both sales assistants and security monitors.
The former employee stated: "The situation for baseline staff was difficult because expectations were high on a two to three-person team throughout the day, requiring till workers to be on shoplifter lookout. So for basic pay, even with a security guard for three quarters of the day, they were essentially guard dogs and blamed if they didn't serve everyone, spot and report shop lifters, tidy the front area and clean everything perfectly."
They added that these pressures may have impacted staff retention and contributed to the decision to close the store. The worker also noted that the shop had employed a security guard in the last year to combat increasingly aggressive shoplifters, suggesting this issue played a role in the lease being relinquished.
Impact on Local Community and Final Day of Trading
The closure has particularly affected elderly shoppers who relied on the store for affordable essentials. Many are now uncertain where to shop and are reluctant to travel further afield to alternatives like the new Erdington Retail Park in Castle Vale or the Ravenside Retail Park, which is over two miles away.
The former staff member explained: "The store closing has hurt a lot of the elderly shoppers who rely on it. Many do not know where they will shop now and are reluctant to go further out. Customers came to rely on the store as a godsend and are now feeling quite lost."
On the final day of trading, the store saw significant activity. By 8:45 am, over 30 people were queuing outside, some seeking 50 per cent discounts on remaining items, while others came to bid farewell to staff. The shelves were nearly empty by 11 am, and the store closed around 3 pm after a team of 10 employees managed tills, packed shopping, and assisted with removing freezers.
Broader Context for Erdington High Street
This closure is part of a wider trend on Erdington High Street, which has seen several businesses shut down in recent times. The former worker highlighted that Greggs, Shipley's, and other small shops have also closed in the last year, describing it as a "big hit to the High Street."
There are indications that the upper rooms of the building may be converted into apartments, reflecting potential changes in the area's commercial landscape. Despite an increase in footfall, the store operated with a skeleton crew at night, further straining resources.
Farmfoods had been a fixture in the community for 24 years, with three staff members having worked there for over two decades. BirminghamLive has reached out to Farmfoods for comment on whether shoplifting influenced the closure, but no response has been received at this time.
