Over 13,000 UK stores closed last year

UK high streets are experiencing a significant crisis, with over 13,000 stores closing last year and many more disappearing in 2025. Experts predict that the number of closures could reach 17,350 by the end of the year. Various factors contribute to this ongoing trend. Shoppers are becoming more cautious about spending, commercial rents are high, and online shopping continues to rise. Fashion retailers have been hit particularly hard, with brands like New Look, Select Fashion, and Quiz Clothing shutting several stores. More than half of the recent closures have involved clothing retailers. Non-fashion businesses are also affected. WHSmith and Homesbase have closed stores, while over 60 banks have shut branches. Santander recently announced it would close another 95 branches, putting around 750 jobs at risk. Other banks like Lloyds, Halifax, and Barclays have also closed branches recently. In detailed reports, the Centre for Retail Research revealed that last year's closures included many independent retailers. The crisis has now extended into 2025, with a growing list of towns and cities losing stores. Notable closures have occurred in cities like Leeds, Bristol, and Birmingham. Several companies have already closed locations in 2025, including Dobbies Garden Centres, which is shutting 17 sites. Superdry is reducing its European store count by 25 to 30 locations, affecting stores in Bradford and Baildon. In summary, the high street crisis is far from over, and many more storefronts are likely to be affected as challenges continue.