High Street fashion chain River Island is set to shut 32 shops nationwide next month – and the closure dates of 15 have now been released. The struggling retailer has announced reduced rent payments on 71 outlets as part of a rescue plan designed to stave off administration.

The major shake-up will result in 32 of its more than 200 branches closing during the opening month of next year, whilst 71 locations will benefit from rent cuts and a considerable portion of debt will be eliminated. Nevertheless, River Island customers will retain access to 122 outlets, which will be unaffected by the overhaul.

The company has asked landlords to lower rent for a three-year period and potentially halt payments on certain properties in a bid to reduce losses. A High Court Judge gave the green light to the proposal in August this year.

Speaking earlier this year, River Island chief executive Ben Lewis commented: “We have a clear transformation strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the business, and this decision gives us a strong platform to deliver this.”

He added: “Recent improvements in our fashion offer and shopping experience are starting to show results, and the restructuring plan will enable us to align our store estate to our customers’ needs. We are grateful to our suppliers, landlords and other stakeholders for their constructive engagement and shared confidence in River Island’s future.”

Matthew Weaver KC, speaking on behalf of River Island, informed the hearing that the company “simply has not been able to reverse” its financial woes. In his written statements, he attributed the drop in footfall and sales to “the pressures of a highly competitive and changing retail environment as well as the prevailing trend away from high street retail stores to online shopping”.

He added: “A number of geopolitical events have also resulted in continuing supply chain disruption which, together with energy, labour and other price increases, has resulted in a cost base that’s too high and unsustainable at its current level.”

River Island, which boasts 223 outlets across the UK and Ireland, will not be closing any of its Irish branches, confirmed Mr Weaver. The firm, which employs approximately 5,500 staff, was established in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before undergoing a rebrand in the 1980s.

Some of the stores are anticipated to hold a clearance sale before they put up the shutters. However, no exact date for the beginning of sales has been confirmed yet.

Major retailer Poundland has confirmed the closure of additional UK stores following the sale of the budget brand earlier this year. In June, owners Pepco sold the brand to a US investment company, Gordon Brothers, for £1, and as part of the deal, a huge restructuring plan was announced and approved, leading to a significant number of stores being removed from the high streets.

This summer saw a huge number of Poundland stores launch sales ahead of the shops’ closing down for good. The chain has now confirmed that these closures will continue into 2026, with stores scheduled to close throughout December and into February. 

The new plan will see the chain’s network of around 800 UK stores slashed to 650 to 700 stores. By the end of December, 18 more Poundland stores would have closed, with two scheduled to cease operation from tomorrow. 

Items in the stores that are closing have been reduced, with some offers up to 40% off, while stock lasts.

Darren MacDonald, Poundland’s UK country manager, said: “We know how disappointing it is when we leave a store, but before we close our doors for a final time, we’re determined to say goodbye by offering even more amazing value to customers. 

“The special reductions, on top of the value we provide in every store, will help us leave locations we’re leaving with pride. And when we close our doors, we look forward to welcoming customers to one of the hundreds of Poundland stores we’ll continue to operate right across the UK.”