Another iconic British department store is set to vanish from the high street, with House of Fraser confirming the permanent closure of its Plymouth branch next year.
The End of an Era in Plymouth
The retailer will shut its doors in March 2026, with closing down sale signs already displayed in the windows offering 20% off stock. This marks a final chapter for a store that was previously rescued from closure in 2018, following the chain's collapse into administration. At that time, Mike Ashley's Sports Direct bought the business for £90 million.
The building housing the store has now been officially listed for sale with commercial property agent Vickery Holman, with an asking price of £3 million. The Plymouth closure will reduce the House of Fraser estate to just 11 stores nationwide, following the shutdown of its Bristol site last year.
Shoppers React with Sadness and Nostalgia
Local residents and loyal customers have expressed profound disappointment on social media, mourning the loss of a retail landmark. One person shared heartfelt memories, stating: “So many happy memories from my childhood and teenage years in this store - would come here with my much loved family who are all now gone - sad times.”
Another comment highlighted the practical and emotional loss, saying: “There goes the only decent department stores we had left and one of the best baby changing stations! Genuinely gutted.” A third lamented the visible decline of the high street, commenting simply: “Another boarded up shop.”
The Mirror has contacted the Frasers Group, the current owner, for an official statement regarding the closure.
A Wider Trend of Retail Closures
The shuttering of the Plymouth House of Fraser is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader contraction on the UK high street.
In related retail news:
- Cardzone is closing a branch in the Didcot Shopping Centre, Oxfordshire, on January 10, 2026, with a clearance sale offering up to 50% off.
- River Island is proceeding with plans to close 33 stores by the end of January 2026, including locations in Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Brighton, and Perth.
- Poundland has announced a further 14 stores will close by early February, adding to 19 previously confirmed closures, following its acquisition by investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1.
These closures underscore the persistent challenges facing brick-and-mortar retailers, from shifting consumer habits to rising operational costs. The sale of the Plymouth House of Fraser building represents both the end of a local shopping tradition and a potential new beginning for the prime commercial space in the city centre.
