Several high street stores, including WHSmith, will close in February, contributing to a growing trend of retail closures across the UK.
Bournemouth: The UK high streets are in trouble again. More stores are set to close in 2025 than last year. The Centre for Retail Research predicts 17,349 closures, up from 13,479 in 2024. Many well-known brands are shutting down physical locations, leaving town centers with fewer options.
WHSmith is one of the latest to announce closures. They plan to shut four high-street shops in February. This is part of a shift to focus on travel hubs instead of traditional stores.
Devon will also see its share of closures. Fashion retailers, pubs, and supermarkets will join WHSmith in reducing their presence. Some stores aim to complete their closures by May.
WHSmith’s iconic blue and white signs will soon be less common. They confirmed plans to close 500 high-street stores. Two have already closed this month in Bournemouth and Luton. Four more will close in February, including Basingstoke, which has been open for 56 years.
Superdrug is also closing its popular Bournemouth location on January 31. This adds to the retail challenges in the area.
Wetherspoons is facing potential closures too. Three pubs are either for sale or under offer, which could lead to more shutdowns this February.
Sainsbury’s is set to close all in-store cafes and food counters, affecting 3,000 jobs. Specific closure dates are still pending, but they could happen soon.
Monki, owned by H&M, is leaving the high street after just over a decade. They will no longer operate physical stores, although some may transition to Weekday stores.
Millets is also closing six of its 100 UK stores, with four converting to Go Outdoors locations. The closures include stores in Lowestoft, Douglas, York, and Grimsby.
