House of Fraser in Birmingham city centre closed for the last time on Thursday, June 25, 2026, marking the end of one of the city's most famous retail landmarks. The flagship store on Corporation Street, which generations of shoppers continued to call Rackhams long after the name change, shut its doors permanently after a final day of clearance sales.
Final Day Atmosphere and Sales
On the last day, customers flocked to take advantage of discounts of up to 50% on many items and at least 20% off everything remaining in stock. Despite the steep reductions on top designer brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour, Boss, and Jack Wills, the store was not especially busy when visited by BirminghamLive. The atmosphere was markedly different from the bustling store many Brummies remember.
Escalators were no longer operating, and a large section of the downstairs had already been closed off. The top floor was shut, leaving only the middle and ground floors for shoppers to browse. One staff member was overheard telling a customer they had "loved" working there, reflecting the affection many employees had for the landmark store over the years.
A Storied History: From Rackhams to House of Fraser
Rackhams opened on Corporation Street in stages between 1960 and 1966, after humble beginnings dating back to the 1850s when William Winter Riddell and Henry Wilkinson opened a retail drapery shop at 78 Bull Street. The Rackhams name was fully established in Birmingham by the 1870s. The store became one of the city's best-known shopping destinations and meeting points, attracting generations of customers and becoming closely associated with Christmas shopping.
It was rebranded as House of Fraser in 2003, but many shoppers continued to call it Rackhams. When House of Fraser fell into administration in 2018, the company was saved by Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley. In 2023, the business confirmed plans to rebrand some stores under the 'Frasers' name, and the Birmingham store was converted into one of the chain's outlet branches.
Impact on Birmingham's Retail Landscape
The closure is the latest blow for traditional department stores in the city, following the closures of John Lewis and Debenhams. While there were no obvious scenes of emotion among staff or customers on Thursday, there was a clear sense that an important chapter in Birmingham's retail history was coming to an end.
