Major high street retailers confirm store closures before Christmas – full list

Four major retailers have confirmed they will close their stores before the end of the year, causing notable store closures on the UK’s high streets.

According to the latest figures from PwC, a staggering 38 stores are closing daily across Britain. The trend is expected to continue as retailers struggle with rising running costs and the ongoing shift towards online shopping.

Chain pubs, chemists, and banks have been the hardest-hit categories in recent store closures, but fashion stores, garden centres, and an iconic British craft chain are among those ready to cease trading this month.

Three “unprofitable” Dobbies Garden Centres have been earmarked for closure within days following the shuttering of branches in Chiswick, Westbourne Grove, and Richmond in recent months.

Elsewhere in the UK, The Original Factory Shop and high-street giants WHSmith, Ann Summers, and one of H&M’s beloved fashion brands are preparing to close over the coming weeks.

The Original Factory Shop

The discount craft retailer has announced the closure of another of its locations. Much to the disappointment of locals, The Original Factory Shop will close its branch in Haverfordwest, Wales, on December 14.

In a social media post, bosses thanked customers for their support over the years: “We take this opportunity to thank all of the local community and our store colleagues for their support throughout our time here in Haverfordwest.”

Many customers took to social media to share their disappointment over the news, with one branding it “really sad”, while another chimed: “I will be so sad to see this lovely little shop going. Always such friendly, helpful staff. Good luck, ladies, in whatever work you do next.”

It follows the closure of seven other Factory Shop stores in recent months, including:

• Brightlingsea, Essex
• Bodmin, Cornwall
• Chepstow, Wales
• Fakenham, Norfolk
• Harwich, Essex
• Mildenhall, Suffolk
• Padiham, Lancashire
• Taunton, Somerset
• Deal, Kent

Ann Summers

The risque retailer has been a staple on the high street for several decades, but residents in Doncaster will be left without a local Ann Summers store by Christmas Day.

A 70 percent off sale has been launched, and a warehouse clearance sale will also be in operation at the Doncaster shop until its closure on December 24.

An Ann Summers spokesperson said: “As part of the normal course of business, we regularly review the location of our stores, which occasionally results in new site openings, renovations, relocations, and store closures. Unfortunately, the lease on our Doncaster store will come to an end in December 2024 and we will be closing the store.”

Monki

A popular fashion chain owned by H&M will close all of its physical shops across the UK. Monki is aimed primarily at teens and young adults but will soon cease to exist on the high street.

Currently, the fashion line has seven shops, including one on London Carnaby Street, though these will all be scrapped by 2025.

It’s another nail in the coffin for devoted shoppers. PwC reports show that an average of 38 stores have closed daily since September.

Dobbies Garden Centre

A handful of garden centres are earmarked for closure in Gloucester, Kings Lynn, and Pennine. According to Gardenforum, these stores are “unprofitable”, and the closures are part of a “restructuring plan” to combat high rent costs.

The closures are subject to court approval which will be determined today, December 9. Should the courts approve the closures, three more stores will close before Christmas, including:

• Dobbies – Pennine – December 15
• Dobbies – Kings Lynn – December 15
• Dobbies – Gloucester – December 15
• Dobbies – Harlestone Heath – December 17
• Dobbies – Altrincham – December 17
• Dobbies – Gosforth – December 19/20