Hobbycraft is set to close a further eight this month, in a huge blow to shoppers. It comes as part of wider plans from the arts and crafts retailer to by this summer.

Hobbycraft has already closed its Canterbury store in Kent - but now, eight more sites will close on June 21. The stores that will close are located in: Bristol, Borehamwood, Basildon, Bagshot, Cirencester, Dunstable, Epping Forest, Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Devastated shoppers have been reacting to the news on social media. One person said: "No! I shop there most weeks!" Another said: "Love Hobbycraft, will be a shame to close it so soon after opening."

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A third person commented: "Thought it was too good to be true when hobbycraft moved to dunstable!" Another said: "I'm so sad about this. We were really excited when it opened."

Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital previously revealed the nine closures, which form part of a larger restructure of the business, would result in up to 126 job losses.

The retail chain said the restructuring will also result in redundancies across its Bournemouth head office and distribution centre in Burton-on-Trent.

It said the shake-up is needed to help secure the future of at least 99 stores and 1,800 jobs across the business. Hobbycraft chief executive officer Alex Wilson said: “For many our stores are more than just arts and crafts supplies – they have become places for gaining crafting ideas and inspiration.

“Very sadly, the strength of our offering has not made us immune from the challenges faced by the retail sector in recent years. Closing stores is always a last resort and this has been an extremely difficult decision.

“Making these changes is sadly a necessary action to enable us to keep our doors open to crafters up and down the country.”

It comes after Modella Capital revealed it is on track to complete its purchase of the retail arm of WH Smith by the end of this month.

The deal, which was agreed in March and values the high street chain at £76million, will see the WH Smith name disappear from British high streets and its 480 stores replaced with the brand TGJones.

The deal does not include the remaining WH Smith travel division, which includes shops in airports, train stations and .

• Basildon, Essex - June 21

• Bagshot, Surrey - June 21

• Borehamwood, Hertfordshire - June 21

• Bristol, Imperial Retail Park - June 21

• Cirencester, Gloucestershire -June 21

• Canterbury, Kent - closed

• Dunstable, Bedfordshire - June 21

• Epping Forest, Essex - June 21

• Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex - June 21