British high streets have changed significantly in recent years with major players including Topshop, Debenhams and House of Fraser having departed.
Now a fresh wave of store closures will see four big brands shut physical shops to keep up with the ever-changing retail landscape.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Helena Davies, head of retail and a specialist property litigator at law firm Brabners commented: “Last week, new figures published by PwC indicated that Britain’s bricks and mortar retailers are closing 12 stores more than they are opening each week – this in a period when towns and cities have seen footfall decline for 13 months in a row.
“Those businesses that are currently struggling, large and small, are in the main doing so due to the increased cost of having a physical footprint, as well as the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on demand.
“Both have proved challenging for those with less flexible business models, contributing to insolvencies in the sector being up 18 percent on this time last year.”
As for the stores closing this month, fashion giant Bonmarché is preparing to bid farewell to its branch in Arnold, Nottingham, this weekend. It follows several stores that have already pulled the shutters this September, including New Look, Beales, Clarks and WHSmith.
Bonmarché
The fashion retailer is locally valued in Arnold, Nottingham and shoppers have been left disappointed at the news of the closure this Sunday, September 22. It even sparked a response from the Local MP Michael Payne, who shared on Facebook: “Bonmarché has been part of our community for many years, offering an essential service to numerous residents, including those with limited mobility who find it difficult to shop elsewhere or prefer not to shop online.
“The store has also been a vital source of employment for many dedicated staff members who have consistently contributed to the company and local area.”
The brand has had a tumultuous few years after falling into administration in 2019, but Bonmarché resurged in popularity and opened a run of new branches at the end of 2023. There is hope for expansion, however, as the retailer revealed plans to open more branches in the next 18 months.
Wetherspoons
The iconic pub chain is a favourite among Britons but some of its 790 sites are at risk of closure. JD Wetherspoons announced the sale programme in 2023 and currently has a dozen pubs seeking new owners.
Sites across Cardiff, Swindon, Felixstowe, and more have been listed on the market. Many more were earmarked for sale last year though some have since been retracted and remain open under the Wetherspoons brand, including The Gate House in Doncaster.
There’s no telling when the pubs close as this depends on whether a sale goes through, but some could be axed within weeks. Either way, the iconic chain suggested that those at risk will close by the end of 2024.
Wetherspoons pubs for sale
- The Pontlottyn, Abertillery
- The Ivor Davies, Cardiff
- Spa Lane Vaults, Chesterfield
- The Sir Daniel Arms, Swindon
- The Plough and Harrow, London
- Sennockian, Sevenoaks
- Hain Line, St Ives
- Lord Claud Hamilton, Felixstowe (underdeveloped site)
- Barid’s Department Store, Hamilton (underdeveloped site)
- Foot of the Walk, Leith
- The Quay, Poole
- Cross Keys, Peebles (under offer)
Boots
The health and beauty chain announced last year it would close 300 branches by the beginning of October 2024. The closures are aimed to reduce the chain’s portfolio from around 2,200 to 1,900 and save a whopping £618million.
In June 2023, it announced a strategy to close 650 of its UK outlets. Since then, more than 580 Boots stores have said their final goodbyes. Some remain open but could close within weeks to hit the October deadline.
Blacks Outdoors
The outdoor clothing and equipment shop will shut its Leicester branch on Saturday, September 21 leaving the chain with just over 70 stores.
JD Sports Fashion plc owns Blacks Outdoor Retail Limited, the British retailer that owns Blacks, Millets, and Ultimate Outdoors.
The brand acquired Blacks in 2012 for £20million, and since then, Blacks has expanded its range of products and sells high-profile brands like The North Face and Berghaus.
