By Andrew Forgrave,Chris Samuel
Copyright dailypost
A retail chain that has been a mainstay of UK high streets for decades is poised to shutter 35 stores in the coming months, with one branch closure just days away. River Island had previously confirmed that more than 30 outlets would be closing their doors permanently as part of a restructuring scheme given the green light by the High Court.
The fashion retailer has faced mounting financial strain in recent years, with its latest accounts showing a £33.2m full-year deficit following a 19% decline in sales, according to BBC News. Under the proposals, the company is also seeking rent reductions across 71 outlets.
River Island had earlier stated that 33 shops would cease trading in January, and has subsequently included its Southside shopping centre branch in Wandsworth, London, to the closures planned for early next year, The Sun reports.
Before that, an outlet in Omagh, Northern Ireland, is due to shut on Monday, September 22, with a clearance sale running up to the closure. Workers at the shop posted a message on social media expressing gratitude to the local community for their custom, reports the Express..
“Our landlord and River Island unfortunately couldn’t agree on the terms of a new lease,” the statement explained. “So unfortunately the landlord has asked River Island to vacate the building.
“As you can imagine the team are totally gutted especially at such a short turnaround. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful customers who have shopped with us for years! We know you will be sad to see us leave as well.”
River Island has been contacted for a response via email. Another store for closure is the retailer’s Eagles Meadow outlet The store’s demise was earmarked this summer and is now set to close by the start of 2026. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
As of March 28, 2025, the fashion behemoth had 207 stores across the UK, according to ScrapeHero.
CEO Ben Lewis, commenting on the series of closures announced up until June, stated: “River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street.
“However the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers’ needs. The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden.”
He further noted that the company has a “clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability”.
“Recent improvements in our fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing very positive results, but it is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island’s future as a profitable retail business.
“We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Full hit list of 35 closures
Beckton Bangor Bloomfield Wrexham Edinburgh Princes Street Hereford Surrey Quays Didcot Sutton Coldfield Aylesbury Burton-Upon-Trent Northwich Taunton Workington Falkirk Cumbernauld Kirkcaldy Gloucester Hartlepool Brighton Lisburn Norwich Oxford Poole Kilmarnock Hanley Barnstaple Grimsby Leeds Birstall Park Rochdale Great Yarmouth St Helens Stockton-on-Tees Perth Wandsworth Omagh
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