The fashion retailer’s store in Kings Walk, off Limborough Road, has been trading in the town for at least a decade but it is due to close on April 27.

The chain also has shops in Abingdon, Didcot, Witney, Bicester and Banbury.

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A member of staff at the Wantage store said: “We are closing on April 27 – it’s the high rents.

“There could be opportunities for staff to work at other New Look shops including Abingdon and Didcot.

“The other stores are fine – it’s just this one that is closing.”

Shoppers in Wantage told by New Look staff about the closure have been discussing the news on Facebook.

One shopper wrote: “This is crazy, the only other places to get clothes is Sainsbury’s and Fat Face!

“Diabolical that we barely have any clothes shops left in Wantage. Greedy landlords charging too much rent. Argos has been standing empty for years now.”

Another added: “Well, I’m not surprised. It always looks empty.

“Still, at least you won’t starve or suffer broken nails or go without overpriced hair dos… plus the charity shops are full of clothing.

“Long gone are the days when Wantage was once a proud and thriving town!”

Primark, H&M and Next are clothing brands that shoppers in the town would like to see move in.

Another shopper added: “It’s about a combination of things isn’t it. How many people use the shop and how much it costs to run.

“The High Street everywhere is being crippled by investment company landlords that care only about making money, and online shopping. Time to get creative about what you want from your High Street (shoe shops, kids clothes shops and adult clothes shops struggle to do enough business).

“It’s not just in Wantage, it’s a problem throughout the country.”

New Look in Wantage (Image: Google Maps)

The New Look store at Westgate Oxford closed in 2022.

The womenswear retailer sells clothes to women aged over 18 and has more than 10 million loyal customers.

It operates more than 300 stores in the UK. There were a number of store closures across the country between 2022 and 2025.

A New Look model (Image: New Look)

Helen Connolly, chief executive officer of New Look, said in a statement: “For over 50 years, New Look has been a standout name in British fashion, built on a deep understanding of our customer and a lasting connection with generations of women.
“By continuing to evolve how we show up for her through a strong omnichannel model, ongoing investment in our digital capabilities, a well invested store network and feelgood fashion at great prices, we are confident in our ability to deliver long term, sustainable growth.”

A New Look spokesperson said: “Our store in Wantage is set close on April 27.

“We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.

“We hope customers continue to shop with us online at newlook.com, where our full product ranges can be found.”

The 79-year-old dame is well known for her role as Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, for which she has won two BAFTA TV Awards.

She has also starred in Martin Scorsese’s 2013 hit The Wolf of Wall Street, the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and The New Avengers, among others.

Dame Joanna has several links to Oxfordshire with the actress being awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by Oxford Brookes University in 2002.

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She also backed The Old Bakehouse in Chadlington, leading to a community group stepping in to save the supported living home from closure.

However, it was reported in The Sun that Dame Joanna was targeted by masked motorbike thieves at her £2.5m London house.

The newspaper reported that neighbour and Times columnist Emma Duncan said looked out of the window and could see there was something “untoward” going on.

She said: “I ran downstairs, slung on a coat and sprinted along the pavement towards the noise.

“A group of men on motorbikes had surrounded a car whose alarm was going off. One was yelling ‘I can’t f***ing start it!’”

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Dame Joanna reportedly joined in in telling the thieves trying to steal her car to “f*** off” before saying to Ms Duncan: “Darling, it’s so sweet of you to come out.”

Fans of the legendary actress have taken online to rally around the star with supportive comments after the terrifying targeted attack.

Susan Wade said online: “Must have been very frightening for her” while Philippa Peate added: “Poor Joanna – how frightening.”

Pete Bleakley said: “Another ‘unbelievable, dahling’ dinner party story to amaze her luvvie mates with.”