Full list of shops closing in September

At least 11 brands are set to close some of their shops this month as retailers continue to quit the high street.

Shoppers have been hit with a number of closures in recent years, with some of our most favourite chains closing for good.

Almost 10,500 shops shut their doors in 2023, leading to 119,000 jobs lost, according to the Centre for Retail Research.

And in the first six months of 2024, 1,846 shops and have closed – leading to 23,982 jobs lost.

Here is a roundup of all the shops that have either already shut up shop or are planning to this month.

Clarks

The shoe brand shut one of their stores in the town of March, in Cambridgeshire, on September 4.

The brand operated across 1,400 stores internationally at its peak. But since July last year it has just 320 shops, with several more closing since.

Homebase

The DIY destination is set to close up to 12 branches this month after it transferred several of its sites to the supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s.

At least 10 Homebase stores have been taken over so far by the supermarket.

Two further closures have also been announced in Northampton and Cambridge, which are said to be separate to the takeover deal.

Homebase currently runs 144 locations across the UK, but they have closed 106 stores since 2018.

Beales

The department store chain shuttered their Southport branch on September 7 after 135 years.

Beales, known for its homewares, clothes and electricals, once once operated 23 department stores after its opened in 1881.

But the company has fallen on tough times in recent years, going into administration in 2020. It was bought by a new owner in 2021.

It now has one branch left, in Poole.

WHSmith

The stationery chain shut two of their branches over the last month in Sale, Manchester, and Bridgwater, Somerset.

It has shut eight shops since March 2023, including in Manchester and Bicester, after a 4% drop in sales.

But 1,400 stores are still operating across the UK, with the company announcing plans to open 110 new shops this year in hospitals, stations and airports.

Pizza Hut

The pizza chain closed its site in Surrey Quays Leisure Park, south east London, on September 14 to make way for new redevelopment plans in the area.

The chain also closed its store in Dartford, Kent, last month – but 260 restaurants remain open in the UK.

In the 1980s the chain was opening an average of one restaurant each week, but mounting debt is putting the restaurant in peril.

There was a 7% sales slump last year as customers cut back on takeaways during the cost of living crisis.

Blacks Outdoors

Blacks Outdoors has announced plans to shut its branch in Leicester on September 21, leaving the chain with more than 70 stores.

The company, which specialises in outdoor clothing and gear, bought the Outdoor Group, which included Millets and Free Spirit, in November 1999 for £51 million.

In December 2011 the group and entered a ‘pre-pack’ administration and was bought by sports giant JD Sports.

Bonmarché

Bonmarché is closing one of its branches in Arnold, Nottingham, next week.

Locals were particularly upset over its closure, with Labour MP for the area, Michael Payne, writing personally to the company’s retail director.

He said: ‘Bonmarché has been part of our community for many years, offering an essential service to numerous residents, including those with limited mobility who find it difficult to shop elsewhere or prefer not to shop online.

‘The store has also been a vital source of employment for many dedicated staff members who have consistently contributed to the company and local area.’

The company fell into administration in 2019, but has experienced a resurgence in popularity at the end of 2023.

Dockerills

Dockerills, a DIY store in Brighton, will close on September 27, bringing to an end a business that has operated for over a century.

It is the last branch of the family businesses that has been operating since 1915.

The business said: ‘It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our Dockerills high street store at the end of September. 

‘The business has been a part of the North Laine community for over 100 years and was established in Regent House, Church Street in the mid-70s.’

The shop reportedly began struggling as there was less footfall coming in.

Boots

The health and beauty chain announced last year it would close 300 branches, with its final closure taking place in early October.

The closures are aimed to reduce the chain’s portfolio from around 2,200 to 1,900.

They confirmed the closures will not lead to any of their 52,000 team members being made redundant.

Cineworld

Cineworld is planning to close six sites in the UK in the first phase of its major restructuring plan.