Poundland, Superdrug, M&S and more to shut stores in coming weeks — full list

According to the Centre for Retail Research, the UK retail industry is facing a “permacrisis” — a prolonged period of turbulence stemming from escalating fixed costs and shrinking footfall. The Centre estimates that around 17,350 stores will close in 2025, resulting in up to 202,000 job losses, which would surpass the worst of the pandemic slump.

Retail analysts and trade bodies point to persistent issues, including high commercial rents, expensive business rates, and a decline in casual shopping visits, as core challenges. Dozens of stores owned by New Look, WHSmith, and Co-op have already closed this year, and there’s more to come in August and September. Express.co.uk has compiled a list of pending store closures.

New Look

The fashion retailer has been navigating a tumultuous time this year, with widespread closures recorded across the UK. Sites in St Austell, Cornwall and the Carillon Court Shopping Centre, Loughborough, have already ceased trading, among at least three others.

Shoppers in Neath, Wales, were the latest to bid farewell to their local New Look site after it shut down on August 6.

Dozens more stores are at risk of closing, with just 364 branches left. While shoppers might enjoy the closing-down sales in the short term, the move marks another blow to high-street shoppers.

Marks and Spencer

High street icon Marks and Spencer has gained popularity for its summer “picky bits” offer and increasingly fashionable clothing range. However, not all branches of the business, including some major sites, have recovered from the pandemic’s impact on high street shopping.

The retailer’s flagship store in Wolverhampton, which has been operating since 1929, is set to close. The M&S on Dudley Street, Wolverhampton, will close on Saturday, September 27.

Staff have been told that an alternative location is being considered, but the exact site has not yet been confirmed.

Hobbycraft

Stores in Bromborough, Southport and Stratford-Upon-Avon will pull down the shutters for good in August. Hobbycraft’s Wigan store will close in early September, according to their website.

Apple

Fans of the tech giant’s store in Bristol’s Cabot Circus can no longer visit today, August 9, marking the closure of the site. Thankfully, the brand has a huge online presence for customers to scour its products.

Monki

The youth-centric fashion brand, owned by H&M, is looking to close its Glasgow store this month. A second site in Bristol is also under review.

Superdrug

Shoppers will see less of the iconic pink Superdrug signage on high streets in Grantham and Redruth, as both stores are expected to shut in August. 

The Grantham store is expected to close today, August 9. A spokesperson previously told the Express: “We can confirm that our Superdrug store in Grantham will be closing on Saturday 9th August. This branch will continue to trade until this date. All team members will be supported during this process and individually consulted regarding potential opportunities within the business.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this closure may cause and sincerely thank our customers for their continued support.”

The health and beauty retailer is shutting its Redruth store in Cornwall on August 16.

Original Factory Shop

The Original Factory Shop was founded in Burnley, England, in 1969 and, at its peak, had approximately 180 stores.

But it has bid farewell to some of its stores over the years and will close two more in August as part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement.

These include:

• Caldicot, Wales
• Kirkham, Lancashire

Poundland

As part of its restructuring under its new owner, Gordon Brothers, Poundland confirmed the closure of 37 stores in three waves.

August 10, 17 and 24 mark poignant days for the retail giant as more than three-dozen sites will cease trading. A spokesperson revealed that the retailer’s performance has “fallen short” of its high standards and that “action is needed to enable to business to return to growth”.

On August 10, 2025, 10 UK stores are expected to close, including:

1. Ammanford
2. Birmingham FOrt
3. Cardiff Valegate
4. Cramlington
5. Leicester
6. Long Eaton
7. Port Glasgow
8. Seaham
9. Shrewsbury
10. Tunbridge Wells

August 17 will see the closure of 15 shops across the country. These are:

1. Bedford
2. Bidston Moss
3. Broxburn
4. Craigavon
5. Dartmouth
6. East Dulwich
7. Falmouth
8. Hull St Andrews
9. Newtonabbey
10. Perth
11. Poole
12. Sunderland
13. Stafford
14. Thornaby
15. Worcester

The remaining Poundland stores will shut on August 24. These are:

1. Brigg (Cary Lane)
2. Canterbury (Marshwood Close)
3. Coventry (Hertford Street)
4. Newcastle (Killingworth Centre)
5. Kings Heath
6. Peterbourough
7. Peterlee
8. Rainham
9. Salford
10. Sheldon
11. Wells
12. Whitechapel (London)

Two more sites will pull down the shutters for good in early September, with the Whitby store closing on September 3, followed by a second branch in Pontypool on September 7.

Sites in Inverclyde and St Mark’s Place, Newark, are also thought to be earmarked for closure, though their final trading dates are unknown. 

River Island

River Island faces potential collapse unless its rescue plan receives approval in the High Court. The company has proposed closing 33 stores and negotiating reduced rents for 71 others.

However, these steps are contingent on obtaining approval from creditors and landlords.

Game

The retailer has approximately 240 UK stores but will close five branches in September 2025. This follows earlier closures in Bridgwater, Manchester, and Nottingham.

According to the Centre For Retail Research, Game’s retreat is symptomatic of wider sector struggles, including energy costs, wage increases, rent hikes and online competition.

Game stores closing this autumn include:

• Bristol Galleries Shopping Centre
• Gateshead Metrocentre
• Basingstoke
• Southend
• Chatham