Uk high street faces a massive decline, with iconic chains closing locations across the country

Retailers across the UK are bracing for a challenging year as 17,000 stores are expected to close in 2025, a significant rise compared to previous years. High street brands like New Look, Homebase, and Dobbies Garden Centres are among the major names affected by the ongoing financial strain, resulting in several closures by the end of February 2025.

Key Upcoming Store Closures in Greater Manchester and Beyond

In Greater Manchester, Bolton will lose its WHSmith store, and a New Look store will close its doors on February 22. Hollister will also shut down one of its branches in the region by February 28, marking a further decline in the high street retail landscape.

Nationally, Homebase will close 33 stores, including locations across the UK, as part of its broader strategy to cope with financial pressures. Dobbies Garden Centres will also shut its Leicester store on February 14, and its Aylesbury location will cease food sales by March. Since October 2024, Dobbies has already closed 24 stores nationwide.

Retail Sector Struggles with Rising Costs and Economic Pressures

The retail industry is facing mounting pressure as inflation continues to bite, and the increase in National Insurance rates adds to the financial burden. Employers are also grappling with the impact of the rising minimum wage from April 2025, making it difficult for many businesses to stay afloat.

In addition to rising wages and taxation, changes in consumer behaviour, with a shift toward online shopping, have compounded the difficulties for traditional high street stores. Retail experts have predicted that, with ongoing challenges, 37 stores could close per day in 2025, significantly increasing the strain on the economy and job market.

Impact of Closures on Local Communities

The closures in cities like Manchester, Bolton, and Leicester are expected to leave gaps in the retail landscape, with the loss of jobs and the decline of the high street affecting local economies. The ripple effect is not limited to retail employees but extends to suppliers, landlords, and other sectors reliant on physical retail outlets.

Rising Tensions in the Retail Sector

The impact of rising business costs cannot be overstated, with Dobbies and Homebase representing only a small part of a broader trend of contraction in the retail sector. Retail experts have forecasted a significant increase in store closures as businesses scale down operations, reduce their workforce, and reconsider their location strategies.

Retail closures are expected to exceed the 13,479 closures recorded in 2024, and experts have warned that many high street chains could follow suit in the coming months. The UK’s retail landscape is at a crossroads, with businesses hoping for a shift in both consumer spending and government policy to help weather the financial storm.

Key Upcoming Closures:

• WHSmith: Closing 4 stores on February 15, including a major branch in Bolton.
• New Look: Shutting a location on February 22 in Greater Manchester.
• Hollister: Closing a store in Greater Manchester by February 28.
• Homebase: Shutting 33 stores by February.
• Dobbies Garden Centres: Closing 24 locations, including Leicester and Aylesbury, over the next few months.