2019 was a devastating year for Britain's high street, with several major retailers and restaurant groups collapsing into administration. Among the casualties were Karen Millen, Mothercare's UK business, and Jamie Oliver's restaurant empire. Thousands of jobs were lost as chains struggled with weak consumer spending, the shift to online shopping, and rising costs from higher business rates and the minimum wage.
Fashion chains offered unprecedented discounts of up to 50% in the run-up to Christmas to lure shoppers. Some companies, like Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Group, used insolvency procedures such as Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) to close stores and negotiate rent cuts, allowing them to stay afloat.
Other notable collapses included The Book People, which went into administration a week before Christmas, putting nearly 400 jobs at risk. Clintons, the card retailer, fell into administration but was bought by its existing owners, protecting its 332 stores and 2,500 staff. Mothercare announced it would close all 79 UK stores, putting 2,500 retail jobs at risk.
Bonmarché, with 318 stores and 2,887 employees, collapsed but was set to be rescued by Peacocks, though at least 30 stores were to close with the loss of 240 jobs. The Scottish department store chain Watt Brothers closed all 11 stores, and the jewellery chain Links of London went into administration, with its sites still trading to clear stock.
Karen Millen and Coast, with 32 stores and 177 concessions employing 1,100 people, closed all sites, making the vast majority of staff redundant. Their online brands were bought by Boohoo.com. Jack Wills, with about 100 stores and 1,700 staff, was bought by Sports Direct, saving 98 stores.
Other casualties included Spudulike, which closed all 37 stores with the loss of about 300 jobs, and Tesco, which cut 4,500 jobs at 153 Metro supermarkets. Laura Ashley announced it would shut a further 34 stores after six closures, with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
