Major high street brand to close 33 stores for good as bosses slam 'cost burden'

 A major fashion brand is set to shut 33 stores – with bosses blaming rising costs. River Island has been in financial trouble for several years, and bosses are now attempting to restructure.

And while the formal proposal is awaiting a creditor vote, set to take place in August before seeking High Court approval, several stores have now been earmarked for imminent closure. Set to close after January 2026, the 33 stores are closing while 71 are set for rent reduction discussions.

Chief executive Ben Lewis said last week: “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.

“We have 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.”

River Island is a privately owned fashion chain, owned by the Lewis family through the Lewis Trust Group. The company was founded by Bernard Lewis, and is now run by his nephew, Ben Lewis

The 33 stores listed for closure are:

Aberdeen Union Square

Basildon

Bedford

Beverley

Birmingham Fort

Blackburn

Bolton

Broughton Park

Cannock

Castleford

Chesterfield

Crewe

Derby

Doncaster

Edinburgh Princes Street

Fareham

Gateshead Metrocentre

Glasgow Argyle Street

Glasgow Silverburn

Grimsby

Halifax

Harrow

Huddersfield

Ipswich

Kidderminster

Kilmarnock

Leamington Spa

Loughborough

Luton

Middlesbrough

Peterborough

Southport

Walsall

The closures come during a tough time for British retail, with a rise in Employer's National Insurance and rent seeing several major brands closes stores – while many independent shops have gone out of business for good.