Full list of 148 Claire’s shops set to close across UK
**Thousands of Jobs at Risk as Claire’s UK Set to Close Hundreds of Shops**
High street fashion accessory chain Claire’s UK is set to close hundreds of its shops across the country, beginning this weekend. The company entered administration on August 13, raising concerns about the future of many of its outlets and thousands of jobs.
Last week, it was announced that Claire’s had been rescued by investment firm Modella Capital, which purchased the majority of the company’s operations and assets from the administrators. However, the deal will only save just over half of the chain’s 300 outlets across the UK and Ireland. Unfortunately, 148 branches were not included in the sale, putting around 1,000 jobs at risk.
Administrator Interpath has confirmed it will keep the remaining 145 stores open as long as possible while exploring other options. However, clearance sales have already begun at some locations, with final closure dates expected to vary by store.
Claire’s UK and Ireland called in administrators last month following the company’s bankruptcy filing in the United States. Since its establishment in 2022, Modella Capital has become a significant player in the UK retail sector. Earlier this year, the firm acquired WH Smith’s high street division, and last year it took over arts and crafts chain Hobbycraft. Modella has also invested in fashion brand Ted Baker.
Natasha Harbinson, managing director at Interpath, said:
*“We are pleased to confirm a sale of the majority of Claire’s UK business and assets which will ensure this popular brand will continue to trade on high streets up and down the UK.”*
Claire’s has several branches in and around Merseyside, including Liverpool ONE, Birkenhead, Southport, Chester, Warrington, and Wigan.
Will Wright, Interpath’s UK chief executive and joint administrator, added:
*“Our intention is to continue to trade the remaining portfolio of stores for as long as we can, while we explore the options available.”*
Joe Price, managing director at Modella Capital, commented:
*“As a firm, we strongly believe that this much-loved brand deserves the chance to remain on the High Street in the UK and Ireland. The issues that Claire’s is facing are significant, and we will need to work collaboratively with all interested parties if our proposed rescue plan is to succeed.”*
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, highlighted the wider challenges facing the retail sector:
*“The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”*
Professor Bamfield also warned of a bleak outlook for the coming year, predicting that as many as 202,000 retail jobs could be lost in 2025.
*“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household, it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”*
It has been widely reported that Claire’s on Chapel Street in Southport is among the shops set to close. When approached for confirmation, a spokesperson for the joint administrators said:
*“Our priority remains to assess all of the options available for the Claire’s stores which did not transfer to Modella as part of the transaction announced on 29 September. In the meantime, however, we have commenced closing down sales in each of the stores in order to sell the remaining stock.”*
The ECHO understands that the Southport Claire’s store was not part of the agreement with Modella. Although the store continues to trade, it is uncertain when this might change. Closing down sales have already started to clear remaining stock, but no dates for closure have been confirmed at this stage.
**List of Stores Not Transferred to Modella**
[Insert full list of stores here]
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This development marks a significant moment for the retail industry and the communities served by Claire’s UK. Customers and employees alike await further updates on the future of stores not included in the recent sale.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/full-list-148-claires-shops-32620591
