Major UK retailers are set to close numerous stores across the country this month, dealing another blow to struggling high streets.
House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Homebase, Decathlon, Co-op, and Wetherspoon are among the brands with stores closing down in certain locations due to fewer people visiting in-store, restructuring plans, and high rent prices.
The closures are part of a broader trend of high street decline, with nearly 10,500 UK shops permanently closing in 2023 alone, according to the Centre for Retail Research. The retail sector lost 119,000 jobs during the same period.
This wave of closures is expected to have a significant impact on local communities, leaving more empty shopfronts in town centres just as the festive season approaches.
House of Fraser
House of Fraser will close its iconic Bluewater, Kent, location on November 27 after 25 years of operation.
This follows recent closures in Plymouth and Lakeside Shopping Centre.
The store was saved from collapse by billionaire businessman Mike Ashley back in 2018 but only 28 department stores remain.
Research shows around 10,500 UK shops permanently closed in 2023
PA
Marks & Spencer’s
M&S Queensway branch in Crawley will shut on November 16.
Graham Bennett, M&S regional manager explained “changing shopping habits” as the reason for the stores closure.
He said: “After consulting with our colleagues following our proposals earlier this year, our Queensway store will close on Saturday, November 16.
“Individual conversations are continuing with our colleagues, and wherever possible, we will be offering them alternative roles with M&S.”
House of Fraser has around 28 remaining sites, whilst M&S aims to reduce its full-line stores from 247 to 180 over three years.
Homebase
Homebase will close two branches in November, including stores at Marsh Mills Retail Park in Plymouth and Southam Road in Banbury.
These closures are part of a larger consolidation following Sainsbury’s acquisition of the DIY chain. A further 10 Homebase stores are set to close in the next two months. Once all stores are closed, Sainsbury’s will convert the units into new supermarkets.
Decathlon
Decathlon’s Forge Retail Park store in Telford will cease trading on November 3, just six years after opening.
The French sporting goods retailer cited a “brand refresh” and “broader review” of its store network as reasons for the closure.
Co-Op
A Co-op store in Meadows, Nottingham, will shut after 50 years of serving the local community. The closure was described as a “difficult decision” prompted by the shop unit lease ending.
The supermarket chain confirmed that its lease on the site had been expiring and it had taken the decision not to renew.
JD Wetherspoons
JD Wetherspoon will close its Foot of the Walk bar in Leith, Edinburgh, on November 3.
A spokesperson for the pub chain said: “We would like to thank our staff and customers for their loyalty to the pub over many years. Wetherspoon does, on occasion, sell pubs, and this is the situation here”.
This closure comes despite local efforts to save the pub, with a Change.org petition gathering over 300 signatures in January.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Confirming the upcoming closure a spokesperson for Wetherspoon said: “We would like to thank our staff and customers for their loyalty to the pub over many years.
“Wetherspoon does, on occasion, sell pubs, and this is the situation here.”
The wave of closures across various retail sectors highlights the ongoing challenges faced by high streets nationwide.
With nearly 1,850 store closures recorded in the first half of 2024 alone, the trend shows no signs of slowing.
As more familiar brands disappear from town centres, local communities are left grappling with reduced shopping options and the loss of longstanding establishments.
