The list includes clothing stores, pubs, restaurants and cocktail bars
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This year has seen businesses collapse on Teesside due to the devastating impact of the cost of living crisis, company strategy changes and unforeseen circumstances.
The list of closures include beloved pubs, popular restaurants and quirky cocktail bars. Many businesses said their reason for closure was skyrocketing costs being unable to afford the huge hikes in bills.
Most are independently owned but this year has also seen huge chains close stores in our region. One of the most shocking closures was Marks and Spencer who had been on Linthorpe Road for over 120 years.
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It closed its doors for the final time in April leaving staff and customers devastated.
Here are the businesses which have closed their doors on Teesside this year:
In April, Teessiders said farewell to a historic store which served a town for more than 120 years.
Shoppers made their last trip to Linthorpe Road M&S, on April 15 as the store opened its doors for the final time. The retail giant occupied the Middlesbrough building for 122 years and was situated near other big names such as Next and The Body Shop.
The closure was first announced in January leaving customers and staff gutted, at the time a spokesperson for M&S said: "We can confirm the building has a mixed tenure but is predominately owned by us. If the closure goes ahead, we will look to sell the store and keep the community updated as these developments progress.”
Customers outside the shop, said they were devastated at the closure, Heather White, 68, told Teesside Live: "It's one of the only decent shops in Middlesbrough. I don't think I'll keep coming to the town if anymore shops close.
"It's such a shame for the staff they're so lovely in there and it's good for the town."
This popular Teesside pub closed its doors – just five months after a huge £150k refurb re-launched the site.
The Derry announced it was officially closing its doors on social media, citing "circumstances out of our control." The Long Newton pub, which had previously been closed since the summer of 2021, was reopened by businessmen Neal Bullock and Andrew Platts back in November last year and was one of Teesside's most popular eateries.
In a post announcing the news, the pub thanked staff, customers, and the village for their support.
Neal and Andrew previously spoke of how The Derry was an "extension of themselves" – decking the venue out with personal touches from huts named after their children to a joint Adidas shoe collection. One of the big draws of the site was its outdoor offering of a huge marquee fitted with comfy sofas and firepits.
Despite the closure, in May Teesside Live reported that The Derry is set to be reopened "as quickly as possible" as the hunt for a new operator is launched.
Teesside Live revealed that Star Pubs & Bars, which leased the Darlington Road site to an operator, is working to get it reopened "as quickly as possible." The chain said it was the independent operator's decision to close the pub – and that it is now looking to recruit someone to take it over.
This bustling Guisborough pub announced its immediate closure in May.
Michael and Sharon Coleman, the couple behind The Anchor Inn shocked regulars confirming that they would be calling last orders on their time at the pub. The pair took the helm at the Belmangate boozer in October 2022 after it had stood dormant for two years – a decision locals called the "best news ever".
The pair had said their decision to move on had 'not been an easy' one, but was the 'right thing' for them at this moment. While they initially planned to spend the week saying their goodbyes to regulars before closing on Saturday, May 20, they made an unexpected announcement confirming the pub's immediate closure.
A post to The Anchor Inn's official Facebook page claimed that the decision was made by Samuel Smith's Brewery to close the pub 'immediately'. The Coleman's apologised to customers and said they were 'saddened it had to end this way' but the decision was 'out of their control'.
Punters took to the post to express their disappointment at the last minute closure with many saying they were 'gutted' that they wouldn't get the chance to say their final goodbyes. One customer even said that the pair would be leaving "a Sharon and Mick shaped hole in the hearts of the community."
Samuel Smith's Brewery declined to comment.
A popular Middlesbrough bistro closed for the last time in May.
Owners of The Prickly Pear Bistro, which was renowned in Teesside for its parmos, said soaring costs were behind the decision to close as it made it difficult to continue operating. Described as a 'hidden gem', the venue was tucked away in the TAD Centre, off Ormesby Road, and was a much-loved dining out destination for many on Teesside.
Taking to social media in May, the owners announced the final trading date of the Prickly Pear to devastated customers. The post said: "We want to take this opportunity to say we have loved every minute of our time at The Prickly Pear Bistro.
"We’ve had some brilliant moments. A huge thanks to all our customers, for supporting us since the beginning. Like many other hospitality venues, the soaring costs, have made it very difficult to continue operating.
"We have therefore decided, that our last trading day at our Middlesbrough site, will be Monday, May 8, so grab a Parmo from us whilst you can. Don’t worry we will still be operating The Ship At Redmarshall with our famous Parmos. Love, peace and happiness to all."
Sally Marshall, who still runs The Ship at Redmarshall, made the announcement weeks after the closure of Marshall's in Yarm earlier this year with the eatery closing on April 9.
Of Marshall's, Sally said previously: "It was a real personal project – I put my heart and soul into it. It was difficult to say that maybe we need to focus on the other businesses."
Customer's were left "gutted" at the sudden closure of this popular bar and restaurant.
In February, Popi Mae's Bar & Kitchen in Guisborough announced on social media it had ceased trading to the disappointment of punters. The family-style restaurant on Church Street, was popular with foodies and had a menu ranging from seafood dishes to the Teesside parmo.
It opened at the site previously home to Cookfellas restaurant when it moved the former Black Swan pub on Westgate.
In a statement the owners thanked customers for their support, they said: "It is with sadness that we announce that Popi-Mae's Bar & kitchen has now ceased trading.
"Those of you who have reservations have been/will be contacted and alternatives offered. The phone and this page will no longer be monitored. Any vouchers outstanding will be honoured by our sister restaurant Cookfellas Wine Bar & Eatery.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who have supported us over the last 21 months. It has been our pleasure!"
The announcement was met with disappointment from customers, one said: "Such sad news, we've had some lovely family gatherings at Popi-Maes always relaxed, lovely food and service and you always made us feel so welcome, all the very best for the future."
Another added: "Oh no this is terrible news. Gutted. We will really miss you all, the kids are gutted too. We've had the loveliest nights and the best food with you. Best of luck with your next step."
Norton restaurant Meet at 12 ceased restaurant operations with immediate effect in June after a spokesperson said the current financial climate had made it 'unfeasible' for the team to continue. The eatery apologised to loyal customers and and said 'providing for the community was at the heart of everything they do'.
This is the second shock closure of one of restaurant owner Barry Faulkner's Norton businesses and comes just months after he announced he had closed his Italian-style restaurant Scrann in January. In a statement he also addressed the challenges the hospitality industry is facing and news that two of his venues, including Meet at 12, have gone up for sale.
A month prior, Mr Faulkner's restaurant and bar business Canteen and Cocktails on Norton High Street was listed for sale with commercial real estate agents Parker Barras for £900,000.
After announcing that restaurant trading would cease for Meet at 12, which opened on Harland Place in 2022, he confirmed that the venue would still be opening on Fridays and Saturdays "in the hope [they] can continue to showcase [the] space and focus on refining [its] offer to move forward." The eatery was initially opened as a 'premier steak house, cocktail bar and roof terrace.
In the statement, Mr Faulkner said: "It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the closure of Meet at 12's restaurant operations for the foreseeable future. These challenging times have undeniably taken a toll on the hospitality industry, and unfortunately, the current financial climate has made it unfeasible for us to continue regular restaurant operations."
The businessman, who also owns The Scruffy Duck, Banh Mi Norton and The Middlesbrough Empire said he was 'heartbroken' by the decision but committed to 'ensure the cultural success of Norton continues'. He also addressed the potential sale of Canteen and Cocktails also on the High Street which opened back in 2014 in the site of the former Co-op.
The statement continued: "Continued success does not come without some unfortunate sacrifice. It is no secret that we are potentially looking to sell one of our venues.
"It is heartbreaking for us that we may have to let another business go, following the closure of Scrann last year. Yet with rising costs, socio economic impacts and a change in attitudes – it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the success rate required, across the entirety of the group.
"Of course, the last thing we want to do is forego a business to a competitor, but with a heavy heart – we will make any tough decisions in the best interest of the group and the village. We want ensure the cultural success of Norton continues to prevail during these tough times."
Customers were devastated by the news, calling Meet at 12 an 'amazing place'. One customer commented on the closure, saying: "Its a sign of things to come unfortunately with the cost of living, so sad."
This much-loved Middlesbrough restaurant and cocktail bar shut permanently this year.
Smoke & Mirrors was another casualty of skyrocketing prices, less than a year after opening. Its owners said the cost of living was "hitting us all hard" – and "without wanting to lower standards, the "only realistic way forward" was to close the doors.
"Gutted" fans of the "legendary" said they will miss the "legendary" venue's "insane" food, cocktails and banter".
Co-owners Richard Lonsdale and chef Kris Lawrence opened their smokehouse just one year ago, taking over the former Ta Moko on Linthorpe Road. Since then, Smoke & Mirrors has built up a reputation for its first-class 'authentic slow smoked BBQ' food.
It all started when Richard developed a real love of BBQs and smoked meats during the hot summer of the first lockdown. He got talking to Kris, discovered they had similar ideas about opening an independent business and it "snowballed from there".
Smoke & Mirrors built up a string of five-star reviews, with fans calling it a "gem" of a place.
Its owners posted on social media: "It's with a heavy heart that the time has come to announce that our beloved Smoke & Mirrors BBQ chapter is coming to an end on Sunday, April 30.
This huge global retailer closed its Teesside Park store earlier this month.
New Look, located between Asda Living and the upcoming Primark store, shut its doors for good. At the time the chain said its priority was to support affected store colleagues and find alternative roles for them in the business.
The retailer, which was founded in 1969, has a number of sites across the region, including in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, and Darlington.
Earlier this year, a New Look spokesperson said: “Our store in Teesside Retail Park will be closing on July 7. Our priority now is to support our affected store colleagues and find alternative roles for them within the business wherever possible.
“We would like to thank all of our customers in Teesside for shopping with us, and hope many will continue to visit us at our nearby store in The Cleveland Centre."
Teesside Park is currently undergoing some major changes, with work continuing on the highly-anticipated new Primark store and plans showing that B&M is set to take over the boarded-up former Toys R Us building.
Tessuti was also set to launch a shop in the former H&M building, which closed in June last year, but Teesside Live recently revealed that the store is now up for let leaving a question mark over the future of the site. The park said it is currently "in the process of reviewing options for the Tessuti unit with their team."