All the store closures happening in March on UK high streets (Image: Getty)
Several big-name brand branches will exit British this month, continuing February’s exodus, which saw quadruple store closures and Farmfoods, Homesense and Dobbies garden centres close. Within the first week of March, two major brands, and Select Fashion, announced major changes to their business, including 35
It comes as businesses gear up for some major changes in April, the most significant of which is a rise in National Insurance contributions. Businesses will pay NI on a larger portion of salaries, and the National Living Wage increase will impact payroll costs for employers with staff aged 21 and over. Key high-street players have confirmed widespread closures, including , which closed two shops this week alone.
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New Look is the latest to shut a store on Sunday, March 9 (Image: Getty)
New Look
New Look is a fan-favourite for affordable style and has been a pillar of the high street for decades. However, in recent years, the brand has contended with soaring costs and the growth of online retail.
In a fresh wave of store closures, doors will be locked for the final time at the Gateshead, Tyne and Wear branch today, Sunday, March 9.
The chain has previously closed locations in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Wickford, Essex. New Look is just one of the latest chains to announce its struggles in the current economic climate. It comes as high street competitor Select Fashion confirms mass closures.
Select
The fashion brand is recognised by its iconic black and white branding, but the retailer will cease to exist on most UK high streets by the end of the month. After announcing a dozen store closures, the latest information, as revealed by The Sun, suggests that the brand’s downsizing exercise has been scaled up.
As a result, 35 stores have been earmarked for closure this March. Just 48 stores will remain open, significantly reducing Select’s high street presence.
Select stores closing in March:
- Accrington
- Ashington
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Birkenhead
- Bletchley
- Bristol Broadmead
- Bristol Broadwalk Shopping Centre
- Chippenham
- Coalville
- Cowley
- Crewe
- Eastleigh
- Hartlepool
- Hatfield
- Hemel Hampstead
- Hull Hessle
- Hull St Stephen’s
- Kidderminster
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Middlesbrough
- Newport
- Peterlee
- Port Talbot
- Preston
- Runcorn
- Scarborough
- Scunthorpe
- South Shields
- Southampton
- Thornby
- Torquay
- Wellingborough
- Witham
- Wolverhampton
- Worksop
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The iconic blue and white branding will become scarce on high streets (Image: Getty)
WHSmith
The stationery giant has confirmed a site closure in Accrington, Lancashire, on March 15 due to an expired lease on the unit.
It comes as the brand orchestrates big changes to its store portfolio elsewhere in the UK. WHSmith is expected to close further stores in Essex, the West Midlands, Norfolk, Newport, and Suffolk as part of the stationery chain’s shakeup.
It is part of plans for the retailer, which sells everything from books and stationery to gifts and snacks, to focus on its travel hubs rather than continuing its high street legacy.
Boots
Boots’ portfolio of pharmacy locations was reduced by 300 by the end of 2024. Now, the iconic chain is making even bigger changes after being sold to a private equity firm.
Its US owner, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), will be taken over by Sycamore Partners. Sycamore Partners paid $11.45 (£8.89) per share, a fraction of its value a decade ago.
It came after Boots announced cost-cutting plans to shut 650 outlets across the UK in June 2023, which were considered unprofitable or too close to other shops. By the end of 2024, it had closed 300 stores, drastically reducing its presence on the high street from 2,200 shops to 1,900 (approximately).
Trespass
Shoppers at the Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester, will see their local Trespass close on March 31. The cause of its pending departure remains unknown but customers can make use of the closing-down sale in-store now, with items available for up to 60% off.
Greggs
The beloved four-squares branding will be removed from a branch in Cambridge at the end of the month on March 31. It is part of the estate strategy, and the chain will open more stores this year.
Greggs already has more than 2,500 shops across the UK, including 500 with franchise partners such as petrol stations. According to Greggs bosses, staff at the Cambridgeshire shop will be relocated to nearby branches where possible.