Beaverbrooks closing Birmingham and High Wycombe shops

Beaverbooks, a high-street jewellery chain in the UK with 89 stores, is closing two more locations this weekend. The shops in Birmingham Fort and High Wycombe will shut their doors after more than 17 years of operation. The company is holding a closing down sale, offering 30% off all items at these stores. This decision follows a review that determined these locations were "no longer commercially viable." Beaverbooks plans to close a total of seven stores in March and April, including others in Huddersfield, Croydon, and Sutton Coldfield. Managing Director Anna Blackburn stated that various factors led to this decision. She expressed regret over the store closures but emphasized the company's commitment to its employees. The affected staff have not been specified, but Blackburn mentioned that the company aims to retain as many as possible in other locations. This move is part of a broader trend in retail. Data from the Centre for Retail Research shows that around 13,479 high street stores closed in the UK last year, marking a 28% increase from the previous year. Experts warn that the situation may worsen in 2025.