Several major UK chains are preparing to close dozens more branches over the coming weeks, deepening the high street crisis. TG Jones, River Island, and Lloyds Banking Group have all announced fresh closures, with empty storefronts becoming an increasingly common sight across the country.
TG Jones closures and restructure
TG Jones has already kicked off a massive closing-down sale at its Inverness store in Scotland, though an exact final date is yet to be announced. The chain's Swindon branch is set to shut on September 14, followed by its Southend-on-Sea site on September 26.
The WHSmith high street arm was sold last year and rebranded as TG Jones in a £76million shake-up to try and save the business. However, it is understood that trading has been poor, reports the Express. TG Jones's owner, Modella Capital, gained approval for a company-wide restructure on July 1, with up to 150 stores thought to be at risk of closure.
River Island and banking closures
River Island, which operates around 200 shops nationwide, is preparing to close its Sheffield city centre store. The branch at 15 The Moor is scheduled to shut on September 1 and has reduced prices on selected items by 30% ahead of the closure. The brand's Oxford Street store in Swansea is also due to close on September 12.
Lloyds Banking Group has revealed a fresh wave of closures across its Lloyds, Halifax, and Royal Bank of Scotland branches. In addition, 200 Halifax locations are set to be converted into Lloyds branches in 2027 as part of a wider brand consolidation drive. The September closures follow Halifax shutting 25 branches back in June.
Full list of closures
TG Jones: Inverness (date TBC), Swindon (14/09/2026), Southend-on-Sea (26/09/2026).
River Island: Sheffield city centre store (1/09/2026), Swansea Oxford Street store (12/09/2026).
Halifax: Horsham (08/09/2026), Cannock (09/09/2026), Barrow-in-Furness (10/09/2026), Milton Keynes (23/09/2026), Woking (23/09/2026), Guildford (24/09/2026), London - Camden Town (24/09/2026), Canterbury (28/09/2026), Wimbledon (28/09/2026), North Finchley (28/09/2026), Durham (29/09/2026), Ealing Broadway (29/09/2026), Basingstoke (30/09/2026), Bury St Edmunds (30/09/2026), High Wycombe (30/09/2026).
Lloyds Bank: Birmingham - Handsworth (23/09/2026), City of London - Whitechapel High Street (23/09/2026), Harrow (23/09/2026), Chelmsford (24/09/2026), Carlisle (29/09/2026).
Royal Bank of Scotland: Milngavie (08/09/2026), Arbroath (09/09/2026), Castle Douglas (10/09/2026), Motherwell (10/09/2026), Biggar (16/09/2026), Glasgow - Giffnock (17/09/2026).
The banking giant stated that decisions regarding the future of its branches are "based on a range of factors, including how customers are choosing to bank and the availability of nearby services".
