154 Claire’s shops, Russell & Bromley and more UK stores close down
Huge stores have closed their doors (Image: tbradford via Getty Images)
A range of well-known British brands have joined the growing list of high street closures this week, shutting their doors for good. Numerous businesses are buckling under the pressure of a mounting wave of rising costs.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that UK retailers have been burdened with a “£5.6 billion wave of additional costs” through 2025 and 2026. These include a reduction in rates relief, higher wages, new packaging levies and the April 2026 rise in property values. Further increases are also on the horizon, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer cautioning that the economic fallout from the Iran war will “go on”.
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A number of beloved retailers have vanished from the high street this week after being forced to make the decision to close their doors.
Claire’s
In a huge blow, Claire’s shut all 154 of its UK locations this week. Administrators at Kroll confirmed the closures, revealing that approximately 1,300 members of staff face redundancy.
The decision did not affect Claire’s 356 concessions, including those in numerous Asda stores, nor its head office.
The Guardian, however, reports that Claire’s may be poised to reopen between four and 10 stores per week from June onwards.
Claire’s had already shut 145 stores, with around 1,000 jobs lost, during a previous administration last year.
All 154 Claire’s stores shut this week (Image: MEN)
Russell & Bromley
The British shoe retailer has closed 33 stores. The final Russell & Bromley closure took place on April 23, following the firm’s announcement of the first 10 closures on April 21.
Administrators confirmed that the planned closure of the remaining 33 stores and nine concessions not purchased by Next has now been completed. The retailer, which was established in 1880, employed 320 staff before the closures.
Administrators Interpath told Drapers: “All stores that did not transfer to Next as part of that transaction closed on or before 23 April 2026.
“Regrettably, these closures mean that the majority of employees working in the non‐transferring stores have been made redundant.
“The administrators and their teams are engaging closely with all affected staff and will be providing support throughout the process, including assisting individuals in submitting claims to the redundancy payments service.
“The administrators continue to oversee the wind‐down of the remaining parts of the business and will provide further updates as appropriate.”
Russell & Bromley has shut 33 stores (Image: MEN)
LK Bennett
Luxury fashion brand LK Bennett has shut nine stores following its entry into administration. The nine shops had been scheduled for closure by the end of April, although stock sold out more quickly than expected.
The remaining 13 concessions remain open while stock lasts, but are expected to close imminently. LK Bennett filed for administration in January after being unable to secure a buyer, and approximately 90 jobs have been impacted by the closures.
The brand, which is a firm favourite of Princess Kate and Queen Camilla, was rescued from administration by Gordon Brothers’ brand management division in January. The deal saw the acquisition of the LK Bennett brand along with its associated intellectual property assets.
Nimit Shah, Gordon Brothers’ managing director for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region, said: “We believe the LK Bennett brand is capable of reinvigoration under a new asset-light model.”
LK Bennett has closed nine stores (Image: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Ark Pet Centres
The pet retailer, which operated outlets across South and East Devon, including in Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay, confirmed the immediate closure of all its stores this week.
A spokesperson confirmed: “It is with huge regret and sadness that we announce that after 30 years of trading, we will be shutting our doors for good as of today – 23rd April. This affects all stores.
“Whilst we have all worked incredibly hard to weather the economic storm, we can no longer sustain the increasing pressure and huge rising costs, and with more increases on the horizon, we have had to make the heartbreaking decision to cease trading.
“We would like to thank our wonderful team who have worked hard to make The Ark what it was – and we truly wish them all the very best for the future. To our loyal customers – thank you, we appreciate you and we truly will miss serving you and your pets.
“We never set out to be a ‘pet shop’, we wanted to be a place where local people could get help and advice on pet care from people they trusted, and we’re proud to have done that for the last 30 years. We have loved every minute of this from day one, thank you for being part of our journey.”
