Major high street retailers, including Primark, River Island, and Poundland, are already scheduled to close stores across the UK in 2026.
The UK high street was hit hard in 2025, with the likes of Starbucks, Pizza Hut and New Look, all closing stores across the UK.
These closures came amid pressure on consumer finances, rising inflation, and increased business costs.
As a result, numerous businesses launched restructuring efforts or entered administration, with the likes WH Smith and Clare's disappearing from the high street completely.
UK high street shops that no longer exist
High street stores closing in 2026
River Island
River Island is set to shut 33 stores across the UK before the end of January as part of a restructuring plan.
River Island currently has more than 220 stores across the UK and Ireland and employs around 5,500 people.
However, the high street fashion chain revealed in August 2025 that it was preparing to close 33 stores as part of a restructuring plan (which was approved by the High Court).
The restructuring plan is aimed at preventing River Island from collapsing into administration, and comes after a decline in footfall and sales.
Along with the closures, River Island will also pay reduced rent at a further 71 shops.
The full list of River Island stores set to close in the UK before the end of January 2026 is:
- Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
- Bangor Bloomfield, Northern Ireland
- Barnstaple, Devon
- Beckton, Greater London
- Brighton, East Sussex
- Burton-Upon-Trent, Derbyshire
- Cumbernauld, Scotland
- Didcot, Oxfordshire
- Edinburgh Princes Street, Scotland
- Falkirk, Scotland
- Gloucester, Gloucestershire
- Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
- Grimsby, Lincolnshire
- Hanley, Staffordshire
- Hartlepool, County Durham
- Hereford, Herefordshire
- Kilmarnock, Scotland
- Kirkcaldy, Scotland
- Leeds Birstall Park, West Yorkshire
- Lisburn, Northern Ireland
- Northwich, Cheshire
- Norwich, Norfolk
- Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Perth, Scotland
- Poole, Dorset
- Rochdale, Greater Manchester
- St Helens, Merseyside
- Stockton On Tees, County Durham
- Surrey Quays, Greater London
- Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire
- Taunton, Somerset
- Workington, Cumbria
- Wrexham, Wales
River Island chief executive Ben Lewis said: “River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street.
“However, 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.
“The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden.”
Poundland
Another 14 Poundland stores are set to shut their doors for good in 2026 amid a growing number of closures.
Following its takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers back in June, Poundland announced plans to close 68 shops and two warehouses in the UK, putting 1,300 jobs at risk.
Poundland concluded its main store closure programme in September, shutting 57 stores, while placing 11 closures on hold.
Since then, more than 50 other closures have been revealed due to leases expiring or landlords serving notice.
The budget retailer will have shut more than 100 shops in the UK by early next year since the beginning of the restructuring programme.
At the beginning of the restructuring process, there were around 800 Poundland stores located across the UK.
This number is expected to decrease to around 650 or 700.
The full list of Poundland stores scheduled to close in 2026 is:
- Bexhill (January 5)
- Ponders End (January 5)
- Kilmarnock (January 5)
- Faversham (January 6)
- Mitcham (January 14)
- Liverpool (January 15)
- Yeovil (January 16)
- Cameron Toll (January 20)
- Nottingham Eastpoint (January 22)
- Lymington (January 23)
- Christchurch (January 23)
- Bristol Avon Meads (January 29)
- Winton (February 6)
- Coatbridge (February 8)
All these Poundland closures are due to leases expiring or landlords serving notice.
"Extensive" clearance sales are now underway at the Poundland stores scheduled to close.
Primark
Primark is also set to close one of its UK shops in 2026.
Its store in the Orchards Shopping Centre, Dartford, will be closing for good on Saturday (January 3).
A post on local Facebook group, Swanley Gossip Page, shows a sign in the Primark store window announcing the closure.
The post reads: "Our Signs are up, the rumours are true Primark Dartford is closing down, our last day will be Saturday 3rd January.
"Thank you so much all for supporting us and all the cards and chocolates we’ve received recently with condolences."
House of Fraser
House of Fraser will be closing its Plymouth store in March 2026.
A sign has appeared in one of the shop's windows which reads: "House of Fraser. This store will be closing in March 2026.
"Please shop online at www.houseoffraser.co.uk."
BBC News - Closing down signs in Plymouth's House of Fraser store - BBC Newshttps://t.co/DMzuxTq5ll
— PlymouthSteve (@FinnieSteve) December 30, 2025
Signs visible in other windows also announce a closing down sale with discounts on full-priced items.
Tresspass
Tresspass is scheduled to close its Southampton store, on Above Bar Street, in March, it was previously revealed.
The outdoor wear retailer will close its Southampton shop on March 9, 2026, after more than 10 years at the city centre location.
Cancer Research
In October last year, Cancer Research revealed plans to close up to 100 stores by April 2027, with 90 of them to shut by May 2026.
The charity said the decision to close these stores came "in response to the changing external and retail landscape".
In a statement, it added: "We know this news will be difficult for many to hear – but it’s necessary to ensure we spend more on life-saving cancer research."
The closures are expected to increase the financial contribution of the cancer charity to research by approximately £12.4 million over the next five years.
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Chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell OBE, said: “I am deeply grateful to our dedicated supporters, volunteers and staff for their role and contribution in beating cancer together.
“Without action, we predict many of our shops will become unprofitable.
"A smaller, high-performing retail operation will mean we will fund more life-saving cancer research and better serve our customers, staff and volunteers.
“This news will be difficult. Our decisions have been taken after serious consideration.
"We’re committed to supporting everyone affected by these changes, and will provide clear information and support throughout the process."
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