Another high street favourite has shuttered its doors, as the popular stationery chain Smiggle closes a store in a picturesque city centre location. The brand, adored by children for its colourful back-to-school supplies and quirky accessories, has vacated its unit in the Old George Mall shopping centre in Salisbury.
Another Store Closure for the Stationery Brand
The closure in Salisbury marks the latest in a series of shutdowns for Smiggle across the UK throughout 2025. A customer expressed their disappointment, stating it was "a nice shop". The brand, which originated in Australia, first appeared on British high streets in 2014 and operates hundreds of stores nationwide, including a major outlet in Birmingham's Bullring.
Broader High Street Challenges
This retail closure coincides with significant upheaval in the hospitality sector. On January 13, 2026, the Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the operating company for TGI Fridays in the UK, appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory.
A pre-pack administration deal was swiftly agreed, with a subsidiary of Sugarloaf—the organisation behind the global TGI Fridays brand—purchasing the business and its assets. This rescue deal safeguards 33 restaurants and 1,384 workers.
However, the deal was not a complete salvation. 16 TGI Fridays sites were not saved, resulting in 456 job losses.
Leadership Comments on the Future
Phil Broad, Global President of TGI Fridays, commented on the restructuring. He stated that the move was pursued to secure the brand's long-term future in the UK, calling it "the best outcome" to preserve jobs and create a platform for growth.
Ryan Grant, Managing Director at Interpath and joint administrator, echoed this sentiment. He noted the transaction allows the well-known brand to continue trading and described it as "a pivotal step in TGI Fridays’ wider turnaround plan".
The consecutive announcements from Smiggle and TGI Fridays highlight the ongoing pressures facing both the retail and hospitality sectors on British high streets, where consumer habits and economic conditions continue to drive change.
