Several high street brands have announced closures in the coming weeks and months, adding to the pressure on British retail. Fashion retailer River Island is closing its Sheffield city centre store next month, with a closing-down sale now underway. The branch at 15 The Moor is scheduled to cease operations on September 1, with selected items discounted by 30% ahead of the closure.
River Island and TGJones closures
River Island's Oxford Street store in Swansea is also due to shut on September 12. These closures come as the company continues to make changes to its UK estate following High Court approval for a major restructuring plan in August 2025.
TGJones has launched a closing-down sale at its branch in Inverness, Scotland, though a closing date has yet to be confirmed. Its Swindon branch is set to shut on September 14, while another in Southend-on-Sea is due to close on September 26.
Bakery and department store closures
Sayers Bakery, founded in 1912, has announced the closure of 19 of its 91 branches. The brand operates across Merseyside and is popular in the region. A spokesperson for parent company Sayers and Poundbakery Limited said: "Following a comprehensive review of our store portfolio, the company has concluded that a number of locations are no longer commercially viable."
"After careful consideration, the senior management has therefore proposed to close 19 underperforming shops at the end of August 2026, which is expected to result in approx 100 redundancies. This has come about after a very difficult trading period due to a number of factors, particularly a change in customer shopping habits, which has led to a reduction of people on the high street along with inflation on the cost of running the business, which has been difficult to pass on to customers whilst also maintaining sales volumes."
Department store Hancock & Wood in Warrington, Cheshire, has closed after 112 years in business. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the business said: "For over a century, we've been more than a department store. We've been a place where friendships were made, generations returned, and our incredible staff welcomed everyone through the doors with care, kindness and a smile."
The store thanked every member of staff, supplier and customer who supported the business over the last 112 years, adding: "You have written the story of Hancock & Wood with us, and we will be forever grateful. While our doors may close, the memories made within these walls will live on in the hearts of our staff, our customers, and the town we have proudly called home for more than a century. Thank you, Warrington. It has been the greatest privilege."
Bank branch closures
Lloyds Banking Group has announced upcoming closures of Lloyds, Halifax and Royal Bank of Scotland branches. Additionally, 200 Halifax sites will become Lloyds branches in 2027 as part of brand consolidation. The September closures follow Halifax shuttering 25 branches in June. The bank said decisions on future branches are "based on a range of factors, including how customers are choosing to bank and the availability of nearby services".
Full list of Lloyds Banking Group bank closures in September: Halifax closures are scheduled for 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), and High Wycombe (30/09/2026). Lloyds Bank closures are scheduled for Birmingham - Handsworth (23/09/2026), City of London - Whitechapel High Street (23/09/2026), Harrow (23/09/2026), Chelmsford (24/09/2026), and Carlisle (29/09/2026). Royal Bank of Scotland closures are scheduled for Milngavie (08/09/2026), Arbroath (09/09/2026), Castle Douglas (10/09/2026), Motherwell (10/09/2026), Biggar (16/09/2026), and Glasgow - Giffnock (17/09/2026).
