As the cost of living crisis continues to place pressure on businesses, many high-street retailers are closing across the country.
Many retailers have announced difficulties with business operations, resulting in lower revenue across the board. This means that thousands of roles may be at risk in the coming months.
Combined with the surge in energy prices and demands for higher wages, many high-street locations have been forced to close their doors. Here's a breakdown of all the store closures announced for 2023...
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Argos
Argos is set to close a number of stores across the UK. So far, four stores have closed in England including in Coventry, in the first half of the year while two stores in Wales - Cardiff Bay and Newport - are expected to close in the summer. The retailer also plans to shut down all 34 stores in Ireland, affecting nearly 600 jobs.
Due to a new deal with Sainsbury's, two depots will also close over the next three years, affecting its Heywood location in Manchester.
B&M
B&M will introduce a series of closures in May. The earliest closure will take place at its Bishop Auckland branch which will close on Friday, May 5 and will be followed by the Widnes location on May 17 and then the Burden Retail Park location in Bolton on May 24.
A large portion of closures taking place are to make way for relocations, according to the retailer.
Barclays
The bank chain will close eight locations across the UK in May, including the following:
- London (19 Fleet Street) May 3
- Watton (56 High Street) May 3
- Chislehurst (7 High Street) May 4
- St Helens (19 Church Street) May 4
- Radlett (221 Watling Street) May 5
- Leyburn (Market Place) May 5
- Talbot Green (3 Ely Valley Road) May 5
- Oundle (2 New Street) May 5
Boots
Boots confirmed that three stores closed in Spring 2023, including a location in Greater Manchester. The pharmacy and cosmetics seller said that in all closures, there were alternative locations less than three miles away.
The chain closed stores in Salford Shopping Centre, Church Street in Malvern, and the Port Arcades Shopping Centre, Ellesmere.
Iceland
Iceland recently announced it was experiencing a decline in business at some of its stores. This has lead to the closure of its Church Road location in Flint on May 27 and its Beccles, Suffolk location on June 17.
It comes after the store chain already closed nine stores since February, including the Berdminster, Bristol location on March 27 and the Clarence Park, Newport location on April 22.
Lloyds banks
- London (8 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4NN) – May 3, 2023
- Ipswich (132 Bramford Road, IP1 4AB) – May 4, 2023
- Weybridge (1C Church Street, KT13 8DA) – May 10, 2023
- Twickenham (17 Heath Road, TW1 4AW) – May 11, 2023
- Whitstable (14 High Street, CT5 1BH) – May 11, 2023
- Beeston (The Square, NG9 1EF) – May 11, 2023
- Wickersley (232 Bawtry Road, S66 1AA) – May 15, 2023
- Borehamwood (189 Shenley Road, WD6 1AW) – May 22, 2023
- Littlehampton (1 Beach Road, BN17 5HY) – May 23, 2023
- Rustington (131 The Street, BN16 3DW) – June 5, 2023
- Aintree (2 Longmoor Lane, L9 0EQ) – June 6, 2023
- Shaftesbury (32 High Street, SP7 8JJ) – June 13, 2023
- Newport (95 High Street, TF10 7AZ) – June 13, 2023
- Ripley (27/29 Oxford Street, DE5 3AH) – June 14, 2023
- Hyde – (2-6 Clarendon Place, SK14 2QZ) – June 21, 2023
- Harrow – (254 Northolt Road, HA2 8DZ) – June 29, 2023
Clintons
Card retailer Clintons has been experiencing a series of closures over the past year due to an increase in customers buying cards online. In 2019, the chain announced business difficulties and closed 66 stores to avoid going into administration.
Most recently, the chain closed down its King Street, Whitehaven location on March 19 and its location at Mercat shopping centre on April 9. It is not yet clear if more closures will take place across the rest of the year as part of this trend.
Homesense and TK Maxx
Homesense recently closed its Arndale location on March 1, with all associated being offered roles in nearby TK Maxx and Homesense stores. However, new stores will open in several other locations, including at Trostre Retail Park and Llanelli.
Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer have seen a number of closures throughout the year already, including its Eastkilbride location in Glasgow on February 23 and its Linthorpe Road location in Middlesborough on April 15. While dates are yet to be announced, it will close a number of stores including Newport Road, Cardigg in spring, Eagles Meadow, Wrexham in autumn, and Deansgate, Bolton at a yet unconfirmed date.
M&Co
M&Co has begun closing down 170 stores across the UK after the chain fell into administration for the second time in December 2022. The process for the series of closures began around Easter and has already seen a large number of sites close for good, including in Beccles, Newquay, and Gosport.
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