High streets across Britain face another difficult weekend as multiple chains shutter branches for good. Store closures fell to the second lowest in a decade in 2024 (35 per day, as reported by PwC), but stubborn costs and a continued shift to online shopping continue to impact major brands.
The Centre for Retail Research calculates that 17,349 shops will have closed by the end of the year, including several planned for this weekend. Closures landing on Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7, include GAME and The Original Factory Shop, leaving once busy shopping streets with more empty shopfronts. Express.co.uk has rounded up what’s changing on the high street.
The Original Factory Shop
The value department chain The Original Factory Shop is trimming sites to reduce overheads and refocus on locations with stronger footfall.
The retailer is undergoing a major restructuring after being bought by private equity firm Modella Capital earlier this year. At least 18 stores have already closed this year, including locations in Perth, Lancashire and Shropshire.
More closures are scheduled in the coming days. The next is Mexborough in South Yorkshire, which will close on Saturday, September 6.
The Chard site will close the following day and is currently running a massive sale, offering up to 70% off products. Meanwhile, the Nairn location in Scotland is set to close on September 22.
Poundland
In June, the retailer announced plans to close 68 stores and two warehouses in the UK after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers. These closures threaten over 1,300 jobs.
Poundland also indicated it will shut more UK stores in the coming years under the new ownership. This weekend’s closure falls in Pontypool on Sunday, September 7, with another in Irvine coming a week later on Saturday, September 14.
Game
As part of a wider portfolio rethink by owner Frasers Group, GAME will close its Metrocentre store in Gateshead on Sunday, September 7. The move continues a gradual consolidation of the retailer’s bricks‑and‑mortar presence as more trade shifts online and into concessions.
The chain, operating at about 240 locations across the UK, will shut its second branch in the Galleries Shopping Centre, Bristol, on September 25, according to BristolWorld. Meanwhile, a Game concession within the Sports Direct store in the same shopping centre is still open.
Both stores have reportedly started large closing sales to clear remaining stock with discounts of up to 20%.
Bonmarché
Bonmarché will close its Scarborough store on Saturday, September 14, linked to the Brunswick Centre’s redevelopment.
A spokesperson for Bonmarche said: “Unfortunately, Bonmarche has no choice but to move as the Brunswick Centre in Scarborough is closing down. But we love Scarborough and are actively on the hunt for a new location in the local area.”
In a further blow to the town, Bonmarche is not the only fashion retailer closing its doors in the town.
New Look also ceased trading on September 5, and there are no plans to open another store in the town.