Latest news with #Lewis
The National
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
All the protests against Donald Trump in Scotland
A major policing operation is being put in place both the visit and any protests that may spring up as a result of it, with Police Scotland seeking officers from other areas of the UK to bolster its numbers. Concerns have also been raised about the cost of the policing operation, with officers likely to cancel rest days to ensure adequate staffing. READ MORE: Ian Murray hints at meeting Donald Trump as he offers 'warm welcome' to Scotland Police are working on the assumption that there will be protests in Ayrshire, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Here's what we know so far. When is Donald Trump in Scotland? Trump is due to arrive in Scotland on Friday for a five-day private visit to his his golf resorts in both Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. His schedule has not been made public, but he is expected to be heading to Turnberry first, after arriving in Prestwick, and then on to [[Aberdeen]]. (Image: Colin Templeton) During his time in Scotland the President will meet both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney. It is understood Trump will meet the prime minister in "Aberdeen" on Monday. Where are the protests against Donald Trump in Scotland? There are a number of pre-planned demonstrations, but campaigners have also warned they are "prepared to respond to Trump's agenda" and are ready to meet him with "loud protest" wherever he goes. Friday Lewis Throughout Friday Around the island READ HERE: Donald Trump protest near mother's birthplace planned for Scotland visit Saturday Aberdeen 12pm William Wallace statue, Union Terrace Edinburgh 12pm US Consulate, 3 Regent Terrace What have the protesters said? 'The people of Scotland don't want to roll out a welcome mat for Donald Trump, whose government is accelerating the spread of climate breakdown and fascism around the world," a spokesperson for Stop Trump Scotland said. The organisation added: 'As ordinary Scots face a continued cost-of-living crisis, it is unacceptable that they are being forced to pay for Trump's security during what is a private visit. Scotland is not his playground. 'We encourage all those who can to come to Aberdeen to show Trump exactly what we think of him in Scotland — and those who can't should join demonstrations wherever they are. 'Even if Keir Starmer bends the knee to Trump, John Swinney should stand with the people of Scotland and say no to a humiliating photo opportunity with the leader of the international far-right.'
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
River Island: UK fashion brand at risk with 33 shops closing
Shoppers are being urged to use gift cards soon as high street future hangs in the balance 🛍️ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Iconic UK fashion chain River Island is at risk of collapse without creditor support 33 stores are set to close by January 2026 – full list of locations revealed below The brand is seeking rent cuts, debt write-offs, and an emergency loan to survive Hundreds of jobs are at risk as the retailer battles falling sales and rising costs Online store and remaining branches continue trading while rescue plan is decided An iconic UK fashion giant is teetering on the edge of collapse, with 33 stores set to close and hundreds of jobs at risk unless creditors approve drastic action. River Island has been battling falling sales, mounting debts, and the relentless rise of fast fashion competitors, and store closures will hit high streets across the UK, including in Brighton, Oxford, Norwich, and Leeds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But it's not just job losses and store closures shoppers need to worry about – the River Island brand could vanish entirely. That's unless landlords and creditors vote in favour of a restructuring plan that includes rent cuts of up to 75%, debt write-offs, and a last-ditch emergency loan from the billionaire Lewis family, who have owned the company since it was founded in 1948. If River Island disappears, it would mark the end of an era for many shoppers who have turned to the chain for affordable fashion for decades. (Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Why is River Island struggling? Once a cornerstone of British high streets, River Island has been hammered by a perfect storm of rising costs, falling footfall, and online-only rivals offering fashion at rock-bottom prices. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chief executive Ben Lewis recently admitted that the company's physical footprint – with over 200 stores across the UK – was no longer in line with how customers shop, with a 'well-documented migration from the high street to online' forcing a major rethink. Accounts published earlier this year show the retailer made a £33.2 million pre-tax loss, with revenue dropping by 19% to £578.1 million. The situation is now so precarious that if the proposed plan fails to win 75% approval from creditors, the company warns it will have 'no option but to enter administration or other insolvency proceedings.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Which River Island stores are closing? 33 River Island stores set to close - the affected shops are expected to remain open until January 2026, allowing the retailer to capitalise on peak trading before shutting their doors for good. The following River Island stores are earmarked for closure: Aylesbury Bangor, Bloomfield Barnstaple Beckton Brighton Burton-upon-Trent Cumbernauld Didcot Edinburgh, Princes Street Falkirk Gloucester Great Yarmouth Grimsby Hanley Hartlepool Hereford Kilmarnock Kirkcaldy Leeds, Birstall Park Lisburn Northwich Norwich Oxford Perth Poole Rochdale St Helens Stockton-on-Tees Surrey Quays Sutton Coldfield Taunton Workington Wrexham Online shopping and other stores are still operating as normal, and customers can continue to shop and redeem gift cards for now. But the longer-term future of the brand may depend on what happens in the High Court next week, where the fate of the restructuring plan will be decided. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
River Island: UK fashion brand at risk with 33 shops closing
Shoppers are being urged to use gift cards soon as high street future hangs in the balance 🛍️ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Iconic UK fashion chain River Island is at risk of collapse without creditor support 33 stores are set to close by January 2026 – full list of locations revealed below The brand is seeking rent cuts, debt write-offs, and an emergency loan to survive Hundreds of jobs are at risk as the retailer battles falling sales and rising costs Online store and remaining branches continue trading while rescue plan is decided An iconic UK fashion giant is teetering on the edge of collapse, with 33 stores set to close and hundreds of jobs at risk unless creditors approve drastic action. River Island has been battling falling sales, mounting debts, and the relentless rise of fast fashion competitors, and store closures will hit high streets across the UK, including in Brighton, Oxford, Norwich, and Leeds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But it's not just job losses and store closures shoppers need to worry about – the River Island brand could vanish entirely. That's unless landlords and creditors vote in favour of a restructuring plan that includes rent cuts of up to 75%, debt write-offs, and a last-ditch emergency loan from the billionaire Lewis family, who have owned the company since it was founded in 1948. If River Island disappears, it would mark the end of an era for many shoppers who have turned to the chain for affordable fashion for decades. (Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Why is River Island struggling? Once a cornerstone of British high streets, River Island has been hammered by a perfect storm of rising costs, falling footfall, and online-only rivals offering fashion at rock-bottom prices. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chief executive Ben Lewis recently admitted that the company's physical footprint – with over 200 stores across the UK – was no longer in line with how customers shop, with a 'well-documented migration from the high street to online' forcing a major rethink. Accounts published earlier this year show the retailer made a £33.2 million pre-tax loss, with revenue dropping by 19% to £578.1 million. The situation is now so precarious that if the proposed plan fails to win 75% approval from creditors, the company warns it will have 'no option but to enter administration or other insolvency proceedings.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Which River Island stores are closing? 33 River Island stores set to close - the affected shops are expected to remain open until January 2026, allowing the retailer to capitalise on peak trading before shutting their doors for good. The following River Island stores are earmarked for closure: Aylesbury Bangor, Bloomfield Barnstaple Beckton Brighton Burton-upon-Trent Cumbernauld Didcot Edinburgh, Princes Street Falkirk Gloucester Great Yarmouth Grimsby Hanley Hartlepool Hereford Kilmarnock Kirkcaldy Leeds, Birstall Park Lisburn Northwich Norwich Oxford Perth Poole Rochdale St Helens Stockton-on-Tees Surrey Quays Sutton Coldfield Taunton Workington Wrexham Online shopping and other stores are still operating as normal, and customers can continue to shop and redeem gift cards for now. But the longer-term future of the brand may depend on what happens in the High Court next week, where the fate of the restructuring plan will be decided. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Fashion United
6 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion United
River Island could collapse ‘within weeks' if rescue plan isn't approved
A new report has suggested that River Island could collapse 'within weeks' if its 'radical' rescue plan isn't approved by landlords and creditors. This is according to a formal restructuring report drawn up by PwC – currently serving as the British retailer's advisors – seen and reported on by The Telegraph. In the 800-page document, it is said that if the plan is rejected, River Island could run out of money by the end of August, leaving behind unpaid debts and pushing the company towards proceedings like administration or insolvency. Among the proposals, which are to be put before the High Court next week, River Island has suggested to return the leases on 33 stores, reduce rents on a further 71 and write off a series of debts to mitigate its liquidity issue. River Island's founders, the Lewis family, will be able to issue an emergency loan if the majority of its creditors approve of the plan. In a statement shared with FashionUnited, a spokesperson for River Island said: 'River Island circulated its proposals for a Restructuring Plan to creditors on June 20. 'In combination with the company's ongoing Transformation Strategy, the Plan is a proactive measure to place the company on a firm footing. We have been having positive conversations with key stakeholders and are confident that we will achieve approval of the Plan in the next few weeks.'
Metro
6 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
River Island on brink of collapse in weeks as 33 stores face closure
River Island, the fashion brand known for deep V-necks and Rihanna t-shirts, could collapse for good in the latest blow to the UK high street. The debt-riddled chain could run out of money by August if plans to shut 33 stores and slash rents on 71 are not approved by the High Court. The shops would have the shutters pulled on them in January, including branches in Gloucester, Beckton and Hereford. If rejected, the company would be 'unable to pay its debts as they fall due' and 'will not be able to continue trading as a going concern'. River Island told creditors the company 'would be subject to administration or other insolvency proceedings', according to The Telegraph. But if the three quarters of the retailer's creditors give the troubled brand's plans the green light, it will be offered a loan from River Island's billionaire founders, the Lewis family, to pay its bills. 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 River Island's advisers, PwC, said in an 800-page restructuring plan that three-year rent cuts of between 75% and 25% for the remaining branches are being considered. Landlords of shops not facing closure will be asked to accept zero rental payments. River Island, which employs 5,300 staff in its stores and head office in west London, has struggled as online shopping booms and the cost of living crisis continues. The company made a £33.2million pre-tax loss in the year ending December 30, 2023, according to a strategic report. Fierce competition in an industry dominated by fast-fashion chains, supply chain issues caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and 'evolving threats to cybersecurity' were cited as the main risks River Island faces. Many other fashion chains have also taken a beating in recent years, including Ted Baker, Topshop and New Look. Other high street giants, such as Poundland and Santander, have handed the keys back to dozens of their stores. More Trending And they won't be the last, with the Centre for Retail Research predicting that more than 17,000 shops will close this year, up from 13,500 in 2024. A River Island spokesperson confirmed it gave a restructuring plan to creditors on June 20. They said: 'In combination with the company's ongoing Transformation Strategy, the Plan is a proactive measure to place the company on a firm footing. 'We have been having positive conversations with key stakeholders and are confident that we will achieve approval of the Plan in the next few weeks.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: This is where to shop the Lionesses' England Euro 2025 kit before Sunday's final MORE: Obsessed with Charli xcx's mini wedding dress? These are the best affordable alternatives MORE: Pub chain collapses into administration and closes six sites for good
