A heartbreak – New Look is set to close another branch in the coming months, as the fashion retailer continues to slim down its presence on the British high street
New Look is the latest high street casualty, steadily retreating from town centres nationwide as it trims down its once expansive network of shops.
The clothing chain, previously boasting over 600 UK stores, has seen its numbers dwindle to just above 330 following a series of restructures. The decline continues with the imminent closure of its Scarborough outlet in the Brunswick Centre on September 17.
This year has already witnessed a spate of New Look store shutdowns across various regions including Wales, Scotland, Essex and Cornwall, signalling a distressing pattern for consumers witnessing the disappearance of well-known brands from their local shopping areas.
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Facing increased costs and a shift in consumer behaviour, the retailer cites the government’s recent National Insurance hike and the relentless march towards digital commerce as significant pressures.
Despite scaling back its physical presence, New Look remains committed to its digital growth, pouring funds into its online operations and experimenting with new “omni-channel” retail concepts, exemplified by a £3 million investment in Greater Manchester stores earlier this year, reports the Express.
A company representative stated: “Our store estate is an important part of our business, alongside our best-in-class website and app. It is this omni-channel approach which allows us to best serve our 10 million customers, however they like to shop.”
This year’s closures have left noticeable voids on numerous high streets, with some premises remaining vacant months after their closure. Wickford in Essex, the first to shut its doors in January following a 15-year trading period, is yet to secure a new occupant.
Full list of New Look closures in the UK during 2025
- Brunswick Centre, Scarborough (closing September 17)
- Neath, Wales
- Hamilton, Scotland
- Birmingham, Northfield Shopping Centre
- Willow Place, Corby
- Bexleyheath, London
- Preston
- Valley Retail World, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
- St Austell, Cornwall
- Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales
- Wickford, Essex
- Carillon Court Shopping Centre, Loughborough
- Devizes, Wiltshire
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Full list of New Look closures in Ireland during 2025
- Northside Shopping Centre (Dublin)
- Liffey Valley Shopping Centre (Dub
- lin)
- Tallaght (Dublin)
- Omni Park Shopping Centre (Dublin)
- Blanchardstown (Dublin)
- Jervis Street (Dublin)
- Wilton Shopping Centre (Cork)
- Ballincollig Shopping Centre (Cork)
- Blackpool Shopping Centre (Cork)
- Opera Lane (Cork)
- Galway City
- Gateway Retail Park (Galway)
- Ashbourne
- Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Arklow
- Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow
- Navan Shopping Centre
- Whitewater Shopping Centre, Newbridge
- Clonmel
- Limerick
- Killarney
- Wexford
- Grand Parade, Mullingar
- Castlebar, County Mayo