The major retail chain has shut over 30 stores this month
Boxing day sales at Silverlink Shopping Park, River Island(Image: )
A major fashion retailer is set to close more than 30 stores this month as part of a previously announced restructuring plan. River Island will shut 33 shops across the UK by the end of January, including its branch in St Helens.
However, the retailer’s Liverpool city centre and Widnes stores will remain open. The closures affect locations in major cities and towns, including Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Brighton and Perth. The St Helens store’s last day of trading is today, Saturday, January 24. The Liverpool ECHO reached out to River Island for more information.
The store closures were first announced in August 2025 as part of a long-term restructuring plan aimed at preventing the company from entering administration. Under the proposals, River Island agreed to close 33 stores and negotiate reduced rents at a further 71 locations.
At the time, the fashion chain was seeking additional funding to avoid falling into significant debt. Landlords were asked to cut rents for up to three years, with some sites potentially seeing rent payments paused altogether, as the company attempted to reduce costs.
River Island previously announced its restructuring plan.(Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)
Matthew Weaver KC, representing River Island, told a High Court hearing in August that the retailer had “simply not been able to reverse” ongoing financial difficulties. He cited falling footfall and sales driven by a highly competitive retail landscape, a shift away from high street shopping towards online sales, and continued supply chain disruption caused by geopolitical events.
He added that rising energy, labour and operational costs had left the business with a cost base that was “too high and unsustainable at its current level”.
Following a vote in 2025, five of the company’s 10 creditor groups backed the rescue plan, prompting River Island to seek High Court approval. No objections were raised at the August hearing, and the restructuring plan was approved.
River Island chief executive Ben Lewis welcomed the decision, saying he was “pleased that River Island’s restructuring plan has been approved by the High Court”.
He said: “We have a clear transformation strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the business, and this decision gives us a strong platform to deliver this. Recent improvements in our fashion offer and shopping experience are starting to show results, and the restructuring plan will enable us to align our store estate to our customers’ needs.
“We are grateful to our suppliers, landlords and other stakeholders for their constructive engagement and shared confidence in River Island’s future.”
Also closing today are stores in Bangor, Bloomfield, Cumbernauld, Hanley, Hartlepool, Kilmarnock and Northwich. The following stores will close on Saturday, January 31:
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