River Island has been closing stores across the UK as part of a restructuring plan approved by the High Court, with 35 branches set to shut in the coming months
A retail chain that has been a mainstay of UK high streets for decades is preparing to shut 35 stores in the coming months, with one branch set to close its doors within days.
River Island had previously confirmed that more than 30 outlets would be closing permanently as part of a restructuring scheme given the green light by the High Court.
The fashion retailer has faced mounting financial difficulties in recent years, with its latest accounts showing a £33.2m full-year loss following a 19% plunge in sales, according to BBC News. As part of the proposals, the company is also in talks over rent cuts at 71 outlets.
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River Island had initially stated that 33 stores would shut in January, and has now added its Southside shopping centre branch in Wandsworth, London, to the list of closures planned for early next year, reports the Express.
Before that, an outlet in Omagh, Northern Ireland, is due to shut on September 22, with a “everything must go” clearance sale running up to the closure. Workers at the store posted a message on social media expressing gratitude to locals for their loyalty.
“Our landlord and River Island unfortunately couldn’t agree on the terms of a new lease,” the message stated. “So unfortunately the landlord has asked River Island to vacate the building.”
It continued: “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.”
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As of March 2025, the fashion behemoth boasts 207 stores across the UK, according to data from ScrapeHero. CEO Ben Lewis, commenting on the wave of closures revealed 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 chain 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.
Ben concluded: “We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.”
Full 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
The Mirror has approached River Island for comment.
