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High streets across Britain face a further blow as chains shutter more stores for good in September. According to the Centre for Retail Research, the UK is on course for 17,349 shop closures and around 201,953 retail job losses in 2025, underlining the scale of upheaval. Rising energy bills, higher commercial rents and increased National Insurance outlays are squeezing margins for physical retailers. At the same time, the convenience of online shopping has diverted spending and reduced town-centre footfall.
Once bustling shopping streets are now paying the price, with many becoming eerily quiet. In the latest sign of strain, Claire’s Accessories has collapsed into administration and paused online orders, though all 306 UK and Ireland stores remain open for now. Poundland, which plans 68 exits by mid-October, is also among those most affected. Express.co.uk has rounded up what’s changing on the high street in September.
New Look
New Look will close its Scarborough store on September 5, with further sites expected to close this year as leases expire. The company cites inflationary pressures and higher National Insurance costs for a wider programme that could see around 100 stores go.
Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer will shut its historic Dudley Street, Wolverhampton store on September 27 as part of its shift away from large department sites after post-COVID trading pressures and towards opening more food halls.
Bonmarché
Bonmarché will close its Scarborough branch on September 14 because the Brunswick Centre is shutting for redevelopment, though the chain is actively seeking a new local site.
GAME
GAME, amid Frasers Group restructuring, will close Metrocentre, Gateshead, on September 7, The Galleries, Bristol, on September 25, and Chatham, Kent, before the end of the month, as it streamlines operations.
Hobbycraft
Hobbycraft is closing six stores in September—Stafford, Wigan, Maidenhead, King’s Lynn, Chichester and Crayford—as part of a wider restructuring to cut costs and refocus the estate.
The Original Factory Shop
The Original Factory Shop will shut Chard on September 7 and Market Drayton on September 20, with Middlewich, Blairgowrie, Heswall, Kinross, Nairn, Mexborough, and Whitchurch also slated to close at later dates, as the retailer restructures its portfolio and reduces overheads.
River Island
River Island will close its Edinburgh store on September 5 as part of a restructuring plan that will see at least 33 shops go, following mounting losses and weaker sales.
