River Island confirms planned closures of 33 stores including Burton-on-Trent: Is your local on the list?

River Island has confirmed a list of all 33 stores that are set to shut following a restructure.

Branches of the fashion retailer set to close include Burton-on-Trent and Sutton Coldfield.

Since being founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand, the fashion retailer has gone on to be synonymous with the high street, employing approximately 5,500 people.

At this stage it is unclear how many jobs are at risk due to the closures.

On Friday (June 20, 2025) River Island proposed a Restructuring Plan (RP), which allows a company to propose a compromise or arraignment with certain classes of its creditors.

As part of the RP, River Island will receive new funding in support of its transformation strategy

A spokesperson for River Island said: “We are focusing on our store base and will close 33 underperforming UK stores under the RP.

“There are a further 71 UK stores that we do not want to close, but we are asking landlords for reductions in rent to make them financially viable.

“Fashion retailing has undergone a seismic change in recent years, with fewer people shopping for mid-priced fashion on the high street, and customers continuing to migrate to online retail channels

“This has led to River Island facing the high fixed costs of a large store portfolio, which is no longer aligned to our customers’ needs

“River Island has not taken the decision to undertake an RP lightly.

“However, following a period of financial underperformance, the business is now faced with a situation that requires decisive action to remain viable and protect its future

“The 33 UK stores due to close in January 2026 under the RP will regrettably lead to job losses.

“But it is worth noting that for any stores due to close, River Island will collectively and individually consult with employees.

“As part of this, we would look at the viability of redeployment within the business, to minimise the impact on jobs

“There are 71 UK stores for which we are re-negotiating the lease terms with the landlords and we hope that we can keep these open and avoid additional job losses.

The River Island Restructuring Plan timeline

• 11 July: Court convening hearing
• 4 August: Creditor voting commences
• 7 August: Court sanction hearing. This is when the court decides whether to approve the plan

Ben Lewis, CEO of River Island said: “River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street.

“However the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers’ needs.

“The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden.

“We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability.

“Recent improvements in our fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing very positive results, but it is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island’s future as a profitable retail business.

“We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.”

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When will River Island close 33 UK stores?

33 stores that have been earmarked for closure will remain open until January 2026.

All River Island stores set to close in January 2026

Here is the full list in alphabetical order.

1. Aylesbury
2. Beckton
3. Barnstaple
4. Bangor Bloomfield
5. Brighton
6. Burton-Upon-Trent
7. Cumbernauld
8. Didcot
9. Edinburgh Princes Street
10. Falkirk
11. Great Yarmouth
12. Grimsby
13. Gloucester
14. Hanley
15. Hartlepool
16. Hereford
17. Kilmarnock
18. Kirkcaldy
19. Leeds Birstall Park
20. Lisburn
21. Northwich
22. Norwich
23. Oxford
24. Perth
25. Poole
26. Rochdale
27. St Helens
28. Stockton On Tees
29. Surrey Quays
30. Sutton Coldfield
31. Taunton
32. Workington
33. Wrexham