Russell & Bromley’s iconic Manchester shop, just off St Ann’s Square, will close today
Russell & Bromley’s Manchester city centre will close today (Image: MEN)
One of Manchester’s longest-running shops is set to close for good today, after historic shoemakers Russell & Bromley collapsed into administration earlier this year.
Manchester’s iconic Russell & Bromley city centre store launched a closing down sale in February, after the luxury footwear brand revealed it had appointed administrators. After an uncertain few months, the retailer’s store, just off St Ann’s Square, will close its doors today for good.
The brand’s Manchester city centre shop has been situated on the corner of St Ann’s Place and St Ann Street for over 40 years. Previously, the site had a larger space on St Ann’s Place where shoppers could find its men’s shoe department, as well as also having a basement floor for its children’s shoe department.
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Alongside the closure of the brand’s Manchester city centre store, Russell & Bromley’s Bath and Harrogate stores are also set to shutter today. This follows the closure of Russell & Bromley’s Covent Garden store yesterday, the Mirror reports.
Manchester’s Russell & Bromley store launched a closing down sale in February (Image: MEN)
While a major deal previously saw Next buy the chain, the fashion brand revealed it would only retain three of its shops – stores in Chelsea, Mayfair and the Bluewater Shopping Centre – as part of the deal. This left 33 Russell & Bromley stores at risk of closure, including Manchester.
Announcing the takeover of the business in January, Andrew Bromley, chief executive of Russell & Bromley, said: “Following a strategic review with external advisers, we have taken the difficult decision to sell the Russell & Bromley brand. This is the best route to secure the future for the brand, and we would like to thank our staff, suppliers, partners and customers for their support throughout our history.”
In a statement on their acquisition of the Russell & Bromley brand, Next previously added: “This acquisition secures the future of a much-loved British footwear brand. Next intends to build on this legacy and provide the operational stability and expertise to support Russell & Bromley’s next chapter, allowing it to return to its core mission: the design and curation of world-class, premium footwear and accessories for many years to come.”