The British high street faces another wave of retail challenges in February 2026, with several prominent chains announcing significant store closures. This month, discount retailer Poundland, fashion brand River Island, and video game seller GAME are among those shutting branches, reflecting ongoing struggles in the retail sector.
Poundland Store Closures Amid Restructure
Poundland, which was sold by Pepco Group to Gordon Brothers last year to avoid administration, is undergoing a major restructure that includes closing 30 stores. The company has confirmed that more closures are scheduled for February, following dozens of shutdowns in recent months.
Full List of Poundland Closures in February 2026
The Poundland stores set to close this month are:
- Chichester
- Feltham
- Crayford
- Nottingham (Chilwell)
- Urmston
Additionally, many other locations have already closed over the past few months, including Twickenham, Westhoughton, Market Harborough, Lowestoft, Colne, Rochdale, Leicester, Tenby, Blackpool (Cherry Tree Retail Park), Deal, Thurrock, Walsall, Hailsham, Perry Barr, Matlock, Carlisle, Burnley, Witham, Sidcup, Dalston, Beeston, Launceston, Melton Mowbray, Droitwich, Hempstead Valley, Lancaster in Lancashire, Northampton Sixfields in Northamptonshire, Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset, Hammersmith in Greater London, Prestatyn in Denbighshire, Faversham in Kent, Liverpool in Merseyside, Yeovil in Somerset, Nottingham Eastpoint in Nottinghamshire, Lymington in Hampshire, Christchurch (47 High Street) in Dorset, Dorchester, Bristol Avon Meads in Bristol, Winton in Dorset, Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, Christchurch (Meteor Retail Park) in Dorset, Arnold in Nottinghamshire, Plymstock, Worthing in West Sussex, Droitwich in Worcestershire, Ballymena in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Oldham in Greater Manchester, Weston Favell in Northamptonshire, Portishead in Somerset, Grantham in Lincolnshire, Portadown in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, Farnham in Surrey, Bearwood Smethwick, Brighton in East Sussex, Hempstead Valley in Kent, Bexhill in East Sussex, Gosport, Ponders End in Greater London, Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire, Scotland, Mitcham in Greater London, and Cameron Toll in Edinburgh, Scotland.
River Island Shifts Focus to Online
River Island is continuing its restructuring plan, which prioritises online shopping over physical stores. While 33 stores were set to close by the end of January 2026, additional closures have occurred in February, including the Rugby, Warwickshire location.
River Island CEO Comments on Strategy
Ben Lewis, CEO of River Island, stated: "We have a clear transformation strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the business, and this decision gives us a strong platform to deliver this." He added: "Recent improvements in our fashion offer and shopping experience are starting to show results, and the restructuring plan will enable us to align our store estate to our customers' needs. We are grateful to our suppliers, landlords, and other stakeholders for their constructive engagement and shared confidence in River Island's future."
List of River Island Store Closures
The stores that have closed so far include Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, Bangor Bloomfield in Northern Ireland, Barnstaple in Devon, Beckton in Greater London, Brighton in East Sussex, Burton-Upon-Trent in Derbyshire, Whitefriars in Canterbury, Cumbernauld in Scotland, Didcot in Oxfordshire, Edinburgh Princes Street in Scotland, Falkirk in Scotland, Gloucester in Gloucestershire, Great Yarmouth, Grimsby in Lincolnshire, Hanley in Staffordshire, Hartlepool in County Durham, Hereford in Herefordshire, Kilmarnock in Scotland, Kirkcaldy in Scotland, Leeds Birstall Park in West Yorkshire, Lisburn in Northern Ireland, Northwich in Cheshire, Norwich in Norfolk, Oxford in Oxfordshire, Perth in Scotland, Poole in Dorset, Rochdale in Greater Manchester, Rugby in Warwickshire, Leicester Road in Rugby, St Helens in Merseyside, Stockton-on-Tees, Surrey Quays in Greater London, Sutton Coldfield in Warwickshire, Taunton in Somerset, Workington in Cumbria, and Wrexham in Wales.
GAME Closes Last Standalone Stores
Video game retailer GAME has entered administration and will close its remaining standalone stores in the UK. This marks the second time the company has fallen into administration since 2012, with its high street presence dwindling over the past decade in favour of concessions within JD Sports.
GAME Store Closures
Frasers Group, the owner of GAME, is closing the chain's last three standalone stores, believed to be in Dudley, Lancaster, and Sutton.
Other Retailers in Administration
Several other retailers have faced administration in early 2026, adding to the high street's woes.
Claire's Accessories and The Original Factory Shop
Claire's Accessories and The Original Factory Shop were put into administration in January 2026 after rescue attempts failed. This puts 1,355 employees at 154 Claire's shops and 1,180 staff across 137 TOFS stores at risk.
Quiz Clothing Administration
Fashion retailer Quiz Clothing has entered administration for the third time in six years, citing lower-than-expected Christmas sales. The company operates 40 stores and seven concessions in the UK, with around 109 staff at risk, though stores remain open for clearance sales. Its online website has shut down.
Santander Bank Branch Closures
Santander announced plans to close 44 bank branches in 2026 due to a shift towards digital services, though no closures are confirmed for February.
The ongoing closures highlight the persistent challenges facing the UK high street, with restructuring, administration, and digital transitions reshaping the retail landscape.
