In a significant blow to the British high street, fashion giant River Island has confirmed it will permanently close 27 of its retail locations by the end of January 2026. This wave of closures begins today, Saturday 24th January, with six stores set to shut their doors for the final time.
A Changing Retail Landscape Forces Major Closures
The company's chief executive, Ben Lewis, has pointed to the profound transformation in consumer behaviour as the primary driver behind these difficult decisions. "The well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers’ needs," Mr. Lewis stated. He further emphasised the financial strain, noting that "the sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden."
Six Stores Closing Today, 24th January
The initial tranche of closures happening today affects stores across the UK. Shoppers in these towns will lose their local River Island branch:
- Bangor Bloomfield, Northern Ireland
- Cumbernauld, Scotland
- Hartlepool, County Durham
- Kilmarnock, Scotland
- Northwich, Cheshire
- St Helens, Merseyside
Full List of 27 River Island Store Closures
The retailer has provided a comprehensive schedule for the remaining closures, with most set for January 31st. The full list of affected locations is as follows:
- Altrincham, Manchester – January 26
- Bangor Bloomfield, Northern Ireland – January 24
- Barnstaple, Devon – January 31
- Beckton, Greater London – January 31
- Cumbernauld, Scotland – January 24
- Didcot, Oxfordshire – January 31
- Falkirk, Scotland – January 31
- Gloucester, Gloucestershire – January 31
- Grimsby, Lincolnshire – January 31
- Hanley, Staffordshire – January 24
- Hartlepool, County Durham – January 24
- Hereford, Herefordshire – January 31
- Kilmarnock, Scotland – January 24
- Kirkcaldy, Scotland – January 31
- Northwich, Cheshire – January 24
- Norwich, Norfolk – Date To Be Confirmed
- Oxford, Oxfordshire – January 31
- Poole, Dorset – January 31
- Rochdale, Greater Manchester – January 31
- St Helens, Merseyside – January 24
- Workington, Cumbria – Date To Be Confirmed
It is important to note that stores in major locations such as Birmingham and Solihull are not currently part of this closure programme and will continue to operate.
Broader Restructuring Amid High Street Crisis
These closures form part of a wider restructuring effort by River Island as it navigates an exceptionally challenging period for brick-and-mortar retail. In addition to the 27 permanent closures, the company has successfully negotiated reduced rent agreements at a further 71 of its shops. This move is a direct response to the sustained decline in footfall experienced in town and city centres across the nation.
For customers looking for final bargains, River Island is currently running significant "everything must go" clearance sales at the affected stores. The retailer confirms there are substantial discounts available across its entire range of clothing and accessories for women, men, and children.
