Harrogate ex-retail worker believes sector is “on the brink of collapse” as store closures continue
A former store manager in Harrogate has warned that the local retail sector is “on the brink of collapse” after being made redundant from her fourth job in 10 years, amid rising rents and increasing pressure from online competition.
Baytree Interiors Harrogate store-front prior to closure. Image supplied by Michelle Barton.
Michelle Barton lost her job in February 2025 when homeware chain Baytree Interiors shut its Harrogate store, alongside branches in Meadowhall and Doncaster. The company’s ongoing contraction reflects a wider trend within the business.
“When I started there five years ago, Baytree had 14 stores across the UK - now only four remain,” she said.
Barton, who has worked in Harrogate’s retail sector for a decade, says she has repeatedly seen high street stores dis...
