Major UK Retail Chains Announce Store Closures in February 2026
A fresh wave of store closures has struck UK high streets in February 2026, with major chains including Poundland, House of Fraser, and River Island among those shutting down locations. Escalating expenses, diminished consumer spending, and difficult trading environments continue to pressure businesses, forcing them to scale back operations to remain viable. Customers nationwide may find fewer high-street choices as these closures come into force, affecting fashion outlets, homeware retailers, and entertainment stores.
GAME Enters Administration Again
GAME, which stocks video games, consoles, accessories, and gaming products, has entered administration once more, having previously undergone the process in 2012. The firm was saved in 2019 through a £52 million acquisition by Mike Ashley's Sports Direct, subsequently rebranded as Frasers Group. The business has gradually scaled back its high-street footprint but will keep trading through approximately 200 concession spaces within Frasers Group outlets, including Sports Direct and House of Fraser sites. It hasn't been revealed precisely when GAME's remaining branches will close, but these locations are affected: Merry Hill in Dudley, Nicholas Arcade in Lancaster, and Times Square Shopping Centre in Sutton.
Speaking to Games Industry.biz, managing director Nick Arran stated: "Gaming is our core business, and we will be the last man standing selling physical video games. We see our place in the market as proving that there is a place for physical, whether that be the collector's editions, which we see as the vinyl of video games, or the gifter who doesn't want to wrap up a download code for Christmas. But we need to be realistic. We have a business to run, and the expectation is that this will decline. So we need to fill that gap. Expect more locations from us. We are constantly in talks with Frasers Group about where we could open up more concessions."
River Island Closes 32 Outlets
River Island confirmed the closure of 32 of its outlets last month following a restructuring scheme aimed at tackling persistent financial challenges. River Island runs more than 200 branches throughout the UK, employing approximately 5,500 workers. The complete list of River Island shops closing in 2026 includes locations in Aylesbury, Bangor Bloomfield, Barnstaple, Beckton, Brighton, Burton-Upon-Trent, Cumbernauld, Didcot, Edinburgh Princes Street, Falkirk, Gloucester, Great Yarmouth, Grimsby, Hanley, Hartlepool, Hereford, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, Leeds Birstall Park, Lisburn, Northwich, Norwich, Oxford, Perth, Poole, Rochdale, St Helens, Surrey Quays, Sutton Coldfield, Taunton, Workington, and Wrexham.
House of Fraser Reduces Footprint
Closure announcements displayed in the windows of its Plymouth store confirm it will shut down in March 2026, leaving the renowned department store with merely 11 sites across the country. The branch had previously been scheduled for closure in 2018 when House of Fraser entered administration, but it was rescued after Sports Direct purchased the chain for £90 million. The retail chain also revealed intentions to close its Darlington branch, which was initially scheduled to shut in 2024 but subsequently agreed a one-year extension to remain in the town. A Darlington Council spokesperson called the decision "disappointing" and added: "The store has been at the heart of our town centre for many years and will undoubtedly be a miss for Darlington shoppers."
Poundland Restructures with 32 Closures
Poundland has already closed numerous branches nationwide as part of its restructuring strategy, with 32 additional outlets scheduled to shut in early 2026. According to The Metro, Poundland stores that have or are due to close this month are in Chichester, Feltham, Crayford, Nottingham (Chilwell), and Urmston. The full list of Poundland stores set to close in 2026 includes Lancaster, Northampton Sixfields, Weston-Super-Mare, Hammersmith, Prestatyn, Faversham, Liverpool, Yeovil, Nottingham Eastpoint, Lymington, Christchurch (47 High Street), Bristol Avon Meads, Winton, Coatbridge, Christchurch (Meteor Retail Park), Arnold, Worthing, Droitwich, Ballymena, Oldham, Weston Favell, Portishead, Grantham, Portadown, Farnham, Brighton, Hempstead Valley, Bexhill, Ponders End, Kilmarnock, Mitcham, and Cameron Toll in Edinburgh.
Other Retailers Face Closures
Shoe Zone has confirmed it will close its Salisbury branch, with black-and-yellow closure notices displayed in the windows, and the shop anticipated to shut between April and June. Chairman Charles Smith said: "Trading conditions remained challenging in the first quarter of the new financial year, with revenue down on forecast, reflecting ongoing macro-economic pressures that continue to weigh on consumer confidence, resulting in lower footfall on the UK high street, alongside the highly adverse Government fiscal policies. The Government's November 2025 budget included an additional increase in the national living wage, raising our cost base further, with broader measures not materially improving consumer sentiment." The business witnessed shop sales plummet 10.3% to £113.1 million throughout 2024-25, having concluded the year with 28 fewer outlets on a net basis, at 269 overall.
Another well-known footwear chain, Schuh, has shut its branch at The Broadway in Bradford. A representative for the shopping centre confirmed the closure and stated new retailers will be revealed shortly. Schuh launched its first outlet in Edinburgh in 1981 and currently runs more than 120 sites across the UK and Ireland. A spokeswoman for Schuh said: "The UK retail sector is undergoing rapid transformation, shaped by shifting consumer behaviours and in response, Schuh is evolving to strengthen its position for the future. Schuh is making strategic decisions to adapt, including the necessary closure of several underperforming stores, among them our Bradford store in The Broadway Shopping Centre."
Administration Hits Claire's and Others
Claire's Accessories and The Original Factory Shop went into administration in January 2026 after Modella Capital stated attempts to save the brands had collapsed. The development threatens 1,355 positions across 154 Claire's Accessories branches in the UK and Ireland. With over 280 UK sites, Claire's recorded losses of approximately £25 million in recent years. A spokesperson for the brand's owner said: "Very sadly, we have had to initiate insolvency proceedings for The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) and Claire's Accessories UK & Ireland. This has been a very tough decision. We have worked intensively in an effort to save both businesses, having made last-ditch attempts to rescue them, but neither has a realistic possibility of trading profitably again. In these circumstances, administration is the only option. In both cases, the legacy effects of trading prior to our ownership left them highly vulnerable."
Well-known high street designer retailer Jules B has fallen into administration. Established in 1984, the independent fashion chain describes itself as having evolved into a "leading force in the world of fashion," retailing clothing, footwear and accessories from brands including Mulberry, Paul Smith and UGG. Administrators Philip Ross and Allan Kelly of FRP Advisory were appointed on February 17.
London-based Marasu's Petit Fours, one of the capital's largest luxury chocolate producers, has entered administration. The Park Royal-based company, which manufactures over 300 tons annually, has previously supplied Prestat, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and Harrods. Administrators were appointed on February 6, with the announcement made on February 17. Founded in 1902, the chocolatier recently shuttered its Piccadilly store amid sluggish sales and soaring cocoa prices.
