The iconic House of Fraser chain is set to close its department store in Plymouth in March 2026, with the building now listed for sale at a price of £3 million. This move leaves local shoppers expressing profound disappointment, with many sharing nostalgic memories associated with the retailer.
The End of an Era for Plymouth Retail
Signs have already appeared outside the Plymouth branch advertising a 20% off closing down sale, marking the beginning of the end for this city centre fixture. The store's fate had been uncertain since 2018 when House of Fraser collapsed into administration, but it was temporarily saved after Mike Ashley's Sports Direct group rescued the chain in a £90 million deal.
The commercial property agent Vickery Holman is handling the sale of the building. This closure will further reduce the House of Fraser estate, leaving just 12 stores operational across the United Kingdom, following the closure of the Bristol site last year.
Shoppers React with Sadness and Nostalgia
Devastated customers have taken to social media to voice their sorrow over the impending loss. One poignant comment read: “So many happy memories from my childhood and teenage years in this store - would come here with my much loved family who are all now gone - sad times.”
Another shopper highlighted the practical and qualitative loss, stating: “There goes the only decent department stores we had left and one of the best baby changing stations! Genuinely gutted.” A third offered a bleak outlook on the high street's future, simply commenting: “Another boarded up shop.”
The Mirror has contacted the Frasers Group, the current owner, for an official comment on the closure.
A Wider Trend of UK Retail Closures
The shuttering of House of Fraser in Plymouth is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern affecting the British retail sector in early 2026.
In related news, the card retailer Cardzone is launching a major sale at its branch in the Didcot Shopping Centre, Oxfordshire, ahead of its closure on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Signs in the window confirm items are being reduced by up to 50% to clear stock. This family-owned business, established in 2005, operates around 150 stores nationwide.
Furthermore, fashion chain River Island is proceeding with a significant restructure, set to close 33 stores by the end of January 2026. These closures impact major cities including Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Brighton, and Perth. This follows separate closures in Chesterfield, Corby, and Omagh earlier in the year.
Discount retailer Poundland has also announced an additional 14 stores will shut by early February 2026, adding to 19 previously confirmed closures. This is part of a major restructure following the chain's sale to investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1. By the end of September, Poundland had already closed 57 locations.
