Claire’s Accessories, a well-loved staple of UK high streets, has confirmed it will permanently shut 145 of its stores following financial difficulties and a recent administration filing.
Despite a partial rescue deal, these closures will impact communities, jobs, and shopping centres nationwide.
As the retail landscape continues to evolve, many are left wondering what’s next for the brand. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the closures, the future of Claire’s, and what it means for UK retail.
What Triggered Claire’s Decision to Close 145 Stores Across the UK and Ireland?
Claire’s entry into administration on 13 August came just days after its US operations filed for bankruptcy. This financial distress reflected ongoing challenges in the retail sector, including reduced footfall, rising costs, and shifting consumer preferences.
Although the company secured a deal to save part of its UK operations, the exclusion of 145 stores signalled the scale of its struggle.
- UK administration filed in August
- US parent filed for bankruptcy earlier in the month
- Deal only covered 156 out of over 300 UK stores
The inability to find buyers for these branches ultimately led to the confirmed closures, which were deemed financially unsustainable.
What Is Modella Capital’s Role in Claire’s Store Closures and Rescue Plan?
Modella Capital played a crucial role in attempting to save Claire’s UK footprint. The investment firm struck a deal to acquire 156 Claire’s stores, aiming to preserve nearly 1,000 jobs. However, this deal excluded 145 stores, many of which are now set to close permanently.
Modella’s strategy includes landlord negotiations to keep some additional stores open. While this provides a glimmer of hope for some locations, it doesn’t guarantee survival.
The company has a track record of retail takeovers and has expressed commitment to keeping Claire’s brand alive in the UK and Ireland.
Which Claire’s Stores Are Closing and How Can You Find Out If Yours Is Affected?
With 145 stores scheduled for closure, shoppers across the UK and Ireland are checking if their local Claire’s is affected. These closures span major cities, high streets, and shopping centres, including branches in London, Brighton, Luton, and the North East.
The decision comes after a partial rescue deal left these specific locations out, meaning they will permanently shut in the coming weeks. To help identify affected stores, here’s a regional breakdown of all 145 closing Claire’s stores:
Major Regions Affected
| Region | Notable Locations Closing |
| England | Luton, Cambridge, Portsmouth, Brighton, Torquay, Hull, London, Coventry, Manchester, Birmingham, Bournemouth |
| Scotland | Falkirk, Stirling, Clydebank, East Kilbride, Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Elgin, Perth |
| Wales | Cardiff, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Llantrisant, Cwmbran |
| Northern Ireland | Bloomfield, Lisburn, Coleraine, Newry, Enniskillen |
| Ireland | Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Mullingar, Bray, Drogheda, Killarney |
Full List of 145 Claire’s Stores Set to Close
England:
- The Arndale Centre, Luton, Bedfordshire
- Grand Arcade, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- SU33B, The Sovereign Shopping Centre, Weston Super Mare, Somerset
- The Cascades Centre, Portsmouth, Hampshire
- The Chantry Centre, Andover, Hampshire
- County Square Shopping Centre, Ashford, Kent
- Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, Banbury, Oxfordshire
- The Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Banbury, Oxfordshire
- Green Lanes Shopping Centre, Barnstaple, Devon
- Eastgate Centre, Basildon, Essex
- Asda, Tollgate Rd, Beckton, London
- 53 The Harpur Centre, Bedford, Bedfordshire
- Affinity Devon, Clovelly Road, Bideford, Devon
- Resorts World Birmingham, West Midlands
- The Bull Ring, Birmingham, West Midlands
- 11 Jackson Square, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
- 150b Stoneybutts, Blackburn, Lancashire
- 19 London Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
- Middlebrook Leisure Park, Bolton, Greater Manchester
- Market Place, Bolton, Greater Manchester
- 56 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset
- George Yard, Braintree, Essex
- The Baytree Centre, Brentwood, Essex
- Upper Mall Level, Churchill Square, Brighton
- Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke, Bristol
- Cabot Circus, Bristol, Avon
- Cooper Square Shopping Centre, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire
- Union Arcade, Millgate Shopping Centre, Bury, Greater Manchester
- Grace Reynolds Walk, Camberley, Surrey
- The Parade, Canterbury, Kent
- The Lanes Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria
- Vicar Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
- 83A North Street, Chichester, West Sussex
- Borough Parade, Chippenham, Wiltshire
- Kiosk A2, West Orchards Shopping Centre, Coventry, West Midlands
- 48 Broadgate House, Coventry, West Midlands
- 62a Market Street, Crewe, Cheshire
- Orchard Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire
- Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
- Lakeside Village, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
- The Swan Centre, Eastleigh, Hampshire
- 7 Thackery Mall, Fareham, Hampshire
- The Mead Redevelopment, Farnborough, Hampshire
- 53 Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent
- Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre, Gloucester
- Market Gates Shopping Centre, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
- 13 Woolshops, Halifax, West Yorkshire
- The Orchards Shopping Centre, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
- 232 The Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
- Maylord Shopping Centre, Hereford, Herefordshire
- Eden Centre, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
- Britannia Centre, Hinckley, Leicestershire
- 10 West Street, Horsham, West Sussex
- 23 Treaty Centre, Hounslow, London
- George Street, Hove, East Sussex
- Prospect Centre, Hull, East Yorkshire
- Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
- The Mall, Kettering, Leicestershire
- 20 New Conduit Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk
- The Bentall Centre, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
- Victoria Place Shopping Centre, London
- 324 Oxford Street, London
- 108 Oxford Street, London
- Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Macclesfield, Cheshire
- Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone, Kent
- Fremlin Walk, Maidstone, Kent
- Manchester Fort Shopping Centre, Manchester
- Kingston Centre, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
- Castle Walk, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire
- 6 Banks Street, Newquay, Cornwall
- The Arndale Centre, Luton, Bedfordshire
- St George’s Centre, Preston, Lancashire
- Owlcotes Supercentre, Pudsey, West Yorkshire
- Chalfont Way, Reading, Berkshire
- 10 Kingfisher Walk, Redditch, Worcestershire
- 33 The Quadrant, Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey
- Exchange Shopping Centre, Rochdale, Lancashire
- Clock Tower Shopping Centre, Rugby, Warwickshire
- Lowry Galleria, Salford, Greater Manchester
- 36 Old George Mall, Salisbury, Wiltshire
- 74 High Street, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
- 18 Chapel Walk, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
- 5-7 Chapel Street, Southport, Merseyside
- Wellington Square, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham
- Brunel Centre and Asda West Swindon Shopping Centre, Swindon
- Ankerside Shopping Centre, Tamworth, Staffordshire
- High Street, Tonbridge, Kent
- 6 Union Street, Torquay, Devon
- The Shires, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
- Park Mall Saddlers Centre, Walsall, West Midlands
- The Pavillion Shopping Centre, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire
- Asda Supercentre, Watford, Hertfordshire
- The Howard Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
- The Sovereign Shopping Centre, Weston Super Mare, Somerset
- 130 High Street, Winchester, Hampshire
- The Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey
- 8 Risman Place, Washington Square, Workington, Cumbria
- 37 Parliament Street, York, North Yorkshire
Scotland:
- St Nicholas Centre, Aberdeen
- 214 High Street, Ayr
- 101 Sylvania Way, Clydebank
- Centre West, East Kilbride
- 137 High Street, Elgin
- Howgate Centre, Falkirk
- The Kingdom Shopping Centre, Glenrothes
- Elephant Yard, Kendal
- Mercat Centre, Kirkcaldy
- Almondvale Centre, Livingston
- Livingston Designer Outlet, Livingston
- St Johns Centre, Perth
- Thistle Marches 2, Stirling
- Sterling Mills Designer Outlet, Tillicoultry
Wales:
- Grey Friars, Carmarthen
- St David’s Centre, Cardiff
- Riverside Quay, Haverfordwest
- Talbot Green Retail Park, Llantrisant
- The Mall, Cwmbran
Northern Ireland:
- Bloomfield Shopping Centre, Bloomfield
- Diamond Centre, Coleraine
- Bow Street Mall, Lisburn
- The Quays, Newry
- Emeside Shopping Centre, Enniskillen
Ireland:
- 52 St. Patrick Street, Cork
- 4 Cruises Street, Limerick
- Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Dublin 14
- Harbour Place, Mullingar
- Central Mall Ilac Shopping Centre, Dublin
- 98 Main Street, Bray
- Omni Park Centre, Santry, Dublin
- Scotch Hall, Drogheda
- Fair Hill Kilburn High Road, Killarney
How to Check If Your Store Is Closing?
- Visit your local branch to check store signage
- Look for updates via Claire’s store locator tool
- Check for local media or community alerts
These closures are expected to complete in phases. Some locations have already begun their closing-down sales, offering up to 20% off. If your local store is on the list, it’s best to visit soon before final stock sells out.
When Are the Claire’s Store Closing Down Sales Happening and What Discounts Are Available?
The closing-down sales have already started at affected locations across the UK and Ireland. These in-store clearance events offer customers up to 20% off on remaining stock, ranging from fashion accessories to kids’ jewellery and seasonal items.
Each store’s closure date will vary, depending on factors like remaining inventory and lease terms. Shoppers are encouraged to visit their local stores early to make the most of limited-time deals before the doors shut permanently.
How Are the Claire’s Closures Impacting Employees and Local High Streets?
The closures are not just a retail loss but also a human one. Hundreds of employees across the UK and Ireland face job insecurity, with the exact number affected still unconfirmed.
- Local job losses are expected in all 145 locations
- Emotional and financial toll on part-time staff, many of whom are students
- Shopping centres losing an anchor tenant face footfall decline
Local economies may also feel the strain, particularly in towns where Claire’s was one of few retail draws for young shoppers and families.
Why Is the UK High Street Seeing More Closures and What Retailers Are Next?
The trend of high street closures continues to intensify across the UK, with several major retailers either shutting stores or undergoing restructuring.
Contributing Factors
- E-commerce boom reducing foot traffic
- High rent and energy costs squeezing profit margins
- Changing consumer habits, especially among Gen Z and millennials
Other Retailers at Risk or Restructuring
| Retailer | Action Taken |
| River Island | Closing 33 stores across the UK |
| Poundland | Restructuring to avoid administration |
| Paperchase | Recently went into administration |
| WH Smith (High St) | Sold off and rebranded under new ownership |
With Claire’s joining this list, it signals a significant shift in how UK consumers shop and how brands must adapt to survive.
Is There Any Hope for Claire’s Remaining Stores and UK Brand Presence?
While 145 stores are closing, the story isn’t entirely bleak. The 156 stores included in the Modella Capital deal are still trading, albeit under the cloud of ongoing landlord negotiations. Modella’s leadership remains optimistic that with strategic cooperation, more stores could survive.
Additionally, Claire’s may continue to operate online in the UK, keeping the brand accessible to its core customers. Its popularity among younger shoppers and trend-driven merchandise still holds relevance in today’s fashion accessory market.
How Are Customers Reacting to Claire’s Exit from So Many UK Shopping Centres?
The reaction from loyal Claire’s shoppers has been a mix of nostalgia and disappointment. For many, Claire’s represented a rite of passage, ear piercing, back-to-school shopping, and trend-driven accessories.
Social media is filled with posts reminiscing about first visits to Claire’s, with many expressing sadness at the loss of such an iconic brand. Communities in affected towns are also voicing concern over yet another high street vacancy that may not be filled easily.
Conclusion
Claire’s decision to shut 145 stores across the UK and Ireland marks another major chapter in the ongoing decline of traditional high street retail.
While a portion of the business has been saved, these closures will leave lasting impacts on communities, employees, and shoppers alike.
As retail continues to evolve, only adaptable, forward-thinking strategies will keep beloved brands like Claire’s in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Claire’s gift cards and vouchers still be valid during closures?
Yes, gift cards can still be used in stores that are currently trading during the sale period. It’s best to use them as soon as possible before closure.
Can you return or exchange products after a Claire’s store has closed?
No, once a store has permanently closed, return and exchange services will no longer be available. Check with trading stores for their return window.
Is Claire’s still operating online in the UK and Ireland?
Yes, Claire’s online platform remains operational and continues to accept orders. Customers can still shop online even after local store closures.
What should landlords and shopping centres expect during Claire’s shutdown?
They may face sudden vacancies and reduced foot traffic. Modella Capital is in discussions with some landlords to potentially retain key locations.
Has Claire’s closed stores in other countries too?
Yes, Claire’s also went through closures in the US as part of its bankruptcy and restructuring. However, many US stores were bought by a new investor.
What are the warning signs shoppers can watch for in other at-risk retailers?
Reduced stock levels, frequent discounts, and limited store hours often indicate financial trouble. Sudden changes in staff or layout may also signal issues.
How does Modella Capital’s involvement affect the long-term future of Claire’s UK operations?
Modella aims to restructure and potentially revive the brand in select locations. Their involvement gives Claire’s a chance to remain on the UK high street.
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