Full list of shops closing in September

At least 11 brands are set to shutter some of their shops and retailers continue to quit the high street.

Almost 10,500 shops shut in 2023 leading to 119,000 jobs lost, according to the Centre for Retail Research.

And in the first six months of 2024, 1,846 shops and have closed and 23,982 have lost their jobs.

Which ones are set to close – or have already closed – this month?

Clarks

The shoe brand shut one of their stores in March, Cambridgeshire, on september 4.

The brand operated across 1,400 stores internationally at their peak, but as of July last year they had just 320. With more having shut since.

Homebase

Up to 12 branches of Homebase are due to close this month following a major transfer of sires to Sainsbury’s.

The supermarket has so far taken over 10 Homebase stores.

Two further closures have also been announced in Northampton and Cambridge separate to the takeover deal.

Homebase currently runs 144 locations across the UK, but they have closed 106 stores since 2018.

Beales

Beales department store closed their Southport branch on September 7 after running inn the building for 135 years.

They once operated 23 department stores after its opening in 1881 selling a range of household items.

The company fell into administration in 2020 and was purchased by a new owner in 2021.

After the store shuts there will just be one left in the UK based in Poole.

WHSmith

The stationary chain shut two of their branches over the last month in Sale and Somerset.

It has shut eight stores since March 2023, including in Manchester and Bicester, after a 4% drop in sales.

But 1,400 stores are still operating across the UK, with the company announcing plans to open 110 new shops this year in hospitals, stations and airports.

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut closed its Surrey Quays Leisure Park site on September 14 to make way for new redevelopment plans in the area.

The chain also closed its store in Dartford, Kent, last month – but 260 restaurants remain open in the UK.

In the 1980s the chain was opening an average of one restaurant each week, but mounting debt is putting the restaurant in peril.

There was a 7% sales slump last year as customers cut back on takeaways during the cost of living crisis.

Blacks Outdoors

Blacks Outdoors will shut its Leicester branch on september 21 leaving the chain with more than 70 stores.

The company having expanded in 1928, bought the Outdoor Group, which included Millets and Free Spirit in November 1999 form £51 million.

In December 2011 the group and entered a ‘pre-pack’ administration and was bought by new owner JD Sports.

Bonmarché

Bonmarché is set to close a branch in Arnold, Notthingham, next week.

The retail unit landlord is believed to have raised the rent making it too expensive for the chain to stay.

Locals were particuarly upset over its closure, with local MP Michael Payne commenting: ‘Bonmarché has been part of our community for many years, offering an essential service to numerous residents, including those with limited mobility who find it difficult to shop elsewhere or prefer not to shop online.

‘The store has also been a vital source of employment for many dedicated staff members who have consistently contributed to the company and local area.’

The company fell into administration in 2019, but has experienced a resurgence in popularity at the end of 2023.

Frasers

Mike Ashley will close its Fraser’s branch in Middlesborough in September.

The retail Tycoon bought House of Fraser in December 2020 and gave the store a new name, Frasers.

The wider Frasers Group includes brands such as Sports Direct and Jack Wills.

In May, a former House of Fraser store closed its store in carlisle in May.

A Sports Direct branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, also closed in March.

Dockerills

Dockerills, a DIY store in Church Street, Brighton, will close this month bringing thei 109 year run to an end.

It is the last branch of the family businesses that has been operating since 1915.

The business said: ‘It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our Dockerills high street store at the end of September. 

‘The business has been a part of the North Laine community for over 100 years and was established in Regent House, Church Street in the mid-70s.’

the shop reportedly began struggling as there was less footfall coming in.

Boots

The health and beauty chain announced last year it would close 300 branches by the beginning of October.

The closures are aimed to reduce the chain’s portfolio from around 2,200 to 1,900.

They confirmed the closures will not lead to any of their 52,000 team members being made redundant.

Cineworld

Cineworld is planning to close six sites in the UK in the first phase of its major restructuring plan.

Venues in Glasgow, Bedford, Hinckley, Loughborough, Yate and Swindon are expected to close down over the coming months.

Cineworld said: ‘We are implementing a restructuring plan that will provide our company with a strong platform to return our business to profitability, attract further investment from the group, and ensure a sustainable long-term future for Cineworld in the UK.’

If approved the plan is expected to come into affect at the end of the month.

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