Full list of 33 River Island shops SHUTTING as mass restructuring approved by the court
The court's approval was a lifeline to the beleaguered company, though the fate of 71 stores still hangs in the balance.
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River Island has been battling with soaring debt in recent years and, like many high street brands, has been struggling to stay open.
In a desperate attempt to survive, the company announced a restructuring plan which will see a whopping 33 stores closed across the UK.
Locations in major UK cities including Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Brighton and Perth are all expected to close.
The axed sites will remain open until January 2026, as River Island desperately tries to make the most of peak trading times.
The company has 250 stores across the country and an estimated total of 5,500 employees.
It is hoped that the restructure will guarantee the safety of at least 140 stores out of that total.
The plan, put forward by PWC, prohibited River Island from trading and ensured that it would be 'subject to administration or other insolvency proceedings', in the event that it didn't get approved.
Ben Lewis, CEO of River Island, said: "We are pleased that River Island's restructuring plan has been approved by the High Court.
"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.
"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.
River Island confirms which 33 stores are shutting as a further 70 at risk in huge shake-up – is your local going?
"We are grateful to our suppliers, landlords and other stakeholders for their constructive engagement and shared confidence in River Island's future."
However, despite the huge cash injection about to be pumped into River Island, the fate of an additional 71 stores is still uncertain.
After failing to get landlord approval for rent reduction at the 71 stores, the recent court decision could turn the tide for River Island.
Michelle Quinn, partner at Grosvenor Law, said: "Absent any successful appeal, the landlords will now be subject to what is called a 'cross-class cram down' meaning that the restructuring plan will be imposed on them despite their objections."
River Island stores set to close
These are the 33 stores River Island has already earmarked for closure...
Beckton
Bangor Bloomfield
Wrexham
Edinburgh Princes Street
Hereford
Surrey Quays
Didcot
Sutton Coldfield
Aylesbury
Burton-Upon-Trent
Northwich
Taunton
Workington
Falkirk
Cumbernauld
Kirkcaldy
Gloucester
Hartlepool
Brighton
Lisburn
Norwich
Oxford
Poole
Kilmarnock
Hanley
Barnstaple
Grimsby
Leeds Birstall Park
Rochdale
Great Yarmouth
St Helens
Stockton-on-Tees
Perth
All of these stores are set to stay open until January 2026 to make the most of peak trading.
That means the rent reductions could be enforced anyway.
In late 2023, River Island revealed that it had made pre-tax losses of a staggering £33.2 million.
In 2024, its turnover plummeted to £517.8 million - a reduction of 19 per cent.
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