Claire’s, the well-known UK accessories retailer with a presence exceeding 150 stores nationwide, is closing its Richmond branch in southwest London amid a growing wave of shop closures triggered by financial struggles and administration proceedings in the UK.
The Richmond store, long a familiar sight on the high street with its distinctive purple branding, has already been cleared out. Its windows now display “to let” signs, signaling the end of an era for this popular location. A notice on the door reveals that joint administrators Will Wright and Chris Pole were appointed to Claire’s Accessories UK Ltd on 13 August.
Customers in Richmond looking to shop at Claire’s are being directed to the closest remaining store in the Southside Shopping Centre, Wandsworth.
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The retailer’s difficulties escalated earlier this year when it enlisted restructuring experts from Interpath to manage growing financial pressures. In September, private equity firm Modella Capital took over 156 Claire’s stores across the UK and Ireland following their acquisition, maintaining operations at those locations. Modella recently expanded its retail portfolio by acquiring WHSmith’s high street outlets and Hobbycraft.
However, approximately 145 other stores, including the Richmond branch, were excluded from this deal and are marked for closure or sale. The administration team confirmed that closing-down sales have begun at these sites to clear remaining inventory.
Locally, the Richmond store was among the first to undergo clearance, with stock and fixtures swiftly removed, leaving the shopfront empty.
Claire’s closures reflect a wider trend of major retailers retreating from UK high streets amidst rising operational costs, decreased foot traffic, and competition from online shopping platforms. Although once a staple retailer for teenagers and families, many branches have succumbed to the challenging economic environment.
Richmond, typically a resilient retail hub in London, now joins numerous other towns grappling with the loss of prominent high street brands.
Administrators have not specified the total number of Claire’s branches yet to close, but clearance sales at various locations across the country are ongoing. Shoppers should consult the brand’s online store locator to find nearest open outlets.
The closure of Claire’s Richmond store underscores the broader challenges facing UK high streets and marks another significant contraction in a beloved retail chain struggling to survive in a rapidly changing market.