Several retailers have announced upcoming branch closures, with some preparing to shut all physical locations entirely. On June 25, Birmingham's flagship House of Fraser closed its doors for the final time, following the closure of its Plymouth outlet earlier this year. The same day, Cardiff's Vue cinema screened its last film after more than two decades as a city centre landmark.
Vue Cardiff Closure
Earlier in June, the cinema chain had warned that closure was on the cards. A statement read: "We can confirm that our site at Stadium Plaza will be closing later this month. We are consulting with our Cardiff colleagues, who are our priority, and until this point, we will continue to provide cinemagoers in Cardiff the very best big screen experience." The cinema showed its final film on June 25, with listings promptly disappearing from the website, where a message now reads: "The credits may be rolling in Cardiff but Vue is still open in Cwmbran, Merthyr and Swansea."
Radley to Close All Stores
Handbag brand Radley has confirmed it is pressing ahead with shutting all its shops, amid claims the brand is millions in debt to suppliers. Despite being acquired out of administration by Gordon Brothers of Poundland, Radley will soon close the doors on its 21 bricks-and-mortar stores for good. The full list of Radley stores set to close includes Covent Garden, Glasgow, Ashford, Banbridge, Braintree, Bridgend, Cannock, Castleford, Cheshire Oaks, Cotswolds, Dalton Park, Doncaster, Gretna, Gunwharf Quays, Livingston, Mansfield, O2 London, Springfield, Somerset, and York.
Independent Retailer and Restaurant Closures
Jones the Furnishers, an independent furniture retailer located on Kettering Road in Northampton, will close its doors at the end of August, following nearly a century in business. Alan Evans, managing director of Jones the Furnishers, said: "It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of Jones the Furnishers. We are incredibly proud of what has been built over the past 90 years and grateful to the generations of customers, employees and suppliers who have supported us throughout this time."
Meanwhile, Michelin-listed restaurant The Water House Project in Bethnal Green announced on social media that it will shut down permanently. The closure marks the end of a five-year journey for chef Gabriel Waterhouse and partner Patricia Wakaimba, who turned a modest supper club into one of the nation's most acclaimed restaurants.
