High Street fashion retailer River Island has confirmed a major restructuring plan that will see 32 of its UK stores close their doors in January 2026. The company, which operates over 200 branches, is taking drastic action to secure its future and avoid administration.
The Rescue Plan: Closures and Rent Reductions
The significant shake-up involves shutting nearly three dozen stores in the first month of the new year. Simultaneously, the struggling chain has secured a crucial agreement for rent reductions on 71 other outlets for a three-year period. This proposal was approved by a High Court Judge in August 2025. A large portion of the company's debt will also be written off as part of the deal.
Despite the closures, River Island customers will still be able to visit 122 stores that remain unaffected by the changes. The company confirmed that none of its stores in the Republic of Ireland are set to close.
Leadership and Market Challenges
River Island's chief executive, Ben Lewis, stated that the decision provides a "strong platform" for the company's transformation strategy. "Recent improvements in our fashion offer and shopping experience are starting to show results," Lewis said, adding that the plan would help align the store estate with customer needs.
However, Matthew Weaver KC, representing the retailer in court, painted a stark picture of the challenges. He explained that River Island "simply has not been able to reverse" its financial troubles. He cited a decline in footfall and sales driven by a highly competitive market, the shift to online shopping, and ongoing supply chain disruptions exacerbated by geopolitical events.
"Together with energy, labour and other price increases, this has resulted in a cost base that's too high and unsustainable at its current level," Weaver stated in written submissions.
Full List of Stores Closing in January 2026
The company has released the full list of 32 locations slated for closure. Clearance sales are expected at several shops, though specific start dates have not yet been announced. Closure dates for 15 of the stores have been confirmed.
Stores with confirmed January 2026 closure dates:
- Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire – January 18
- Brighton, East Sussex – January 18
- Burton-Upon-Trent, Derbyshire – January 18
- Barnstaple, Devon – January 31
- Didcot, Oxfordshire – January 31
- Gloucester, Gloucestershire – January 31
- Grimsby, Lincolnshire – January 31
- Hartlepool, County Durham – January 24
- Hereford, Herefordshire – January 31
- Northwich, Cheshire – January 24
- Poole, Dorset – January 31
- St Helens, Merseyside – January 24
- Surrey Quays, Greater London – January 18
- Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire – January 18
- Wrexham, Wales – January 18
Additional stores closing (date to be confirmed):
- Bangor Bloomfield, Northern Ireland
- Beckton, Greater London
- Cumbernauld, Scotland
- Edinburgh Princes Street, Scotland
- Falkirk, Scotland
- Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
- Hanley, Staffordshire
- Kilmarnock, Scotland
- Kirkcaldy, Scotland
- Leeds Birstall Park, West Yorkshire
- Lisburn, Northern Ireland
- Norwich, Norfolk
- Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Perth, Scotland
- Rochdale, Greater Manchester
- Taunton, Somerset
- Workington, Cumbria
Founded in 1948 as Lewis and Chelsea Girl before its 1980s rebrand, River Island employs approximately 5,500 people across the UK and Ireland. The coming weeks will mark a significant contraction for this High Street staple as it adapts to the evolving retail landscape.
