Slough has changed considerably since the pandemic, and it is safe to say that the recent news of Slough's Queensmere Shopping Centre's redevelopment has shaken the town.

Businesses have been packing up for the closure and demolition set to begin in January 2023.

However, it isn't just businesses in Slough's centre that have departed. 

Across town, much-loved supermarkets and stores have left Slough in the last 12 months.

With huge changes on the horizon, let's take a look back at some of the shops and businesses that have left this year.

Empire Cinema

Slough Observer:

On December 8 Empire Cinema Slough took to its social media to post a cinema closure notice.

The cinema closed with immediate effect with the notice making reference to British Land's redevelopment of Slough Central, which will see the western side of Queensmere Shopping Centre closed from January 2023 as the works get underway.

Empire Cinema Slough said: "Clearly, as these works progress around the cinema, trading will become increasingly difficult.

"As a result, and after careful consideration of these factors, and particularly the reduced footfall in the town centre they will cause, Empire Cinemas have taken the decision to close the cinema and will review its own cinema redevelopment.

Sainsbury's

Slough Observer:

Sainsbury's on the Farnham Road closed in April.

When asked about the closure a Sainsbury's spokesperson said that they regularly review branches and the decision to close a store is 'never taken lightly' and that shutting down stores is always based on a range of factors.

Nationwide

Slough Observer:

Nationwide closed its branch on Willow Parade, Langley, on October 20, 2022.

Slough Farnham Road site also closed on the same day.

The Nationwide spokesperson said that while they are not closing branches in large numbers, they must always consider whether it is the interest of their wider membership to keep open a branch that’s not sustainable.

They added that the branches in Langley and Slough Farnham Road were 'old' and would require 'significant investment to bring them up to date'.

Argos

Slough Observer:

Argos, located on the Bath Road, Slough closed in May following the relocation of standalone stores into Sainsbury's.

An Argos spokesperson said: “As part of our plans to make shopping convenient for customers and to enable us to invest where it matters most to customers we are relocating many of our Argos standalone stores to Sainsbury’s."

The spokesperson added a new Argos store opened inside Sainsbury’s Uxbridge Road Superstore earlier in the year.