A number of River Island stores are set to close following the approval of a major restructuring plan by the High Court, a move that will see hundreds of jobs lost but could save the struggling fashion chain from collapse. The retailer confirmed that 33 branches will shut for good as part of the plan, which aims to reduce debt, streamline operations, and keep the business trading.
The closures are scheduled to take place by January 2026, allowing the company to capitalise on the key Christmas and New Year shopping period.
Full list of River Island stores set to close by January 2026:
Beckton
Bangor Bloomfield
Wrexham
Edinburgh Princes Street
Hereford
Surrey Quays
Didcot
Sutton Coldfield
Aylesbury
Burton-Upon-Trent
Northwich
Taunton
Workington
Falkirk
Cumbernauld
Kirkcaldy
Gloucester
Hartlepool
Brighton
Lisburn
Norwich
Oxford
Poole
Kilmarnock
Hanley
Barnstaple
Grimsby
Leeds Birstall Park
Rochdale
Great Yarmouth
St Helens
Stockton-on-Tees
Perth
River Island CEO Ben Lewis 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."
The plan also leaves the fate of another 71 stores uncertain.
River Island had previously failed to secure landlord approval for rent reductions at these locations, but the court’s ruling could now see those reductions imposed regardless.
Michelle Quinn, partner at Grosvenor Law, described the move as a “cross-class cram down”, a legal mechanism allowing the restructuring plan to be forced through despite landlord objections.
While the company says it will work with landlords to limit the number of closures, it admits job losses are inevitable. “We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum,” a spokesperson said.
The High Court approval marks a lifeline for the chain, which warned it would have faced administration or insolvency without the plan.
River Island currently operates over 250 UK stores and employs around 5,500 staff. PwC, brought in to advise on cost-cutting, says the restructuring could save more than 140 stores and thousands of jobs, with new investment expected to follow.
