Another familiar face is vanishing from Britain's struggling high streets as fashion retailer M&Co announces sweeping store closures that will see 35 locations shut their doors for good.
The beloved Scottish chain, which collapsed into administration in 2022 before being rescued, has confirmed the devastating move that puts hundreds of retail jobs at risk across the nation.
Which Stores Are Closing?
The closures span the length and breadth of the UK, affecting communities from Scotland to southern England. Among the locations facing the axe are prominent stores in:
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Cardiff
- Southampton
- Dundee
- Aberdeen
- Newcastle
- Leeds
The complete list of affected stores has been circulating among staff and local authorities as the company begins the difficult process of winding down operations.
Why Is This Happening?
This represents the latest chapter in M&Co's turbulent recent history. The company previously entered administration in 2020 during the pandemic, followed by another collapse in 2022 when it was acquired by AK Retail Holdings.
Industry experts point to the perfect storm of rising operational costs, changing shopping habits, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis that has left many retailers fighting for survival.
The Human Cost
Behind the statistics lie real families facing uncertainty. Store employees across the country are now confronting the prospect of redundancy as the closures take effect over the coming months.
One staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, told us: "We knew things were difficult, but this still comes as a massive shock. The high street just isn't what it used to be."
The Bigger Picture
M&Co joins a growing list of retail casualties that have become all too familiar in recent years. The continued shift toward online shopping, combined with soaring energy bills and business rates, has created an increasingly hostile environment for brick-and-mortar retailers.
Retail analyst Sarah Pendleton commented: "We're witnessing a fundamental reshaping of the British high street. Those retailers who survive will need to offer something truly special that can't be replicated online."
The closures are expected to be completed within the next six months, leaving yet more empty units in town centres already struggling with vacancy rates.
