11 big names who closed shops and banks across the UK in 2025

Several high street big names have shut their stores this year.

2025 has been a challenging year for the UK's high streets and banking sector. From household names on the high street to major banks, a wave of closures has reshaped the retail and financial landscape. Rising operational costs, changing consumer habits and a continued shift toward online services have forced companies to rethink their strategies. Many retailers and banks have announced closures as part of restructuring plans, cost-cutting measures or responses to declining footfall.

High street staples like WHSmith, New Look, and River Island have shuttered multiple locations, while supermarkets such as Morrisons have closed underperforming stores to focus on more profitable outlets. The banking sector has also been affected, with Lloyds and Halifax closing hundreds of branches as more customers move to digital banking apps.

Here's a closer look at 11 major names that closed shops or banks across the UK in 2025.

1. Lloyds - 218 branches closed

Lloyds Banking Group cited changing customer habits, with more than 21million people now using mobile apps to manage their money. Customers can still access services via other Lloyds, Halifax, or Bank of Scotland branches, the Post Office, or PayPoint locations.

2. Morrisons - 145 stores closed

The supermarket chain closed 145 locations, including 17 convenience stores and 52 cafes, following a review that identified areas where operating costs outweighed usage and customer value.

3. River Island - 33 stores closed

As part of a restructuring plan approved by the High Court, River Island closed 33 stores, reduced rents and wrote off debt for 71 locations. Out of over 200 shops nationwide, 122 remain unaffected.

4. Poundland - 71 stores closed

Poundland's recent sale led to a company-wide restructure, closing multiple stores by the end of 2025. Locations affected include Leicester, Blackpool, Carlisle, Sidcup and dozens more across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

5. WHSmith - 17 high street stores closed

The high street chain focused on profitable travel locations, closing stores in Bournemouth, Luton, Doncaster, Bedford and more.

6. New Look - 41 stores closed

New Look confirmed 41 closures as part of ongoing reductions, affecting locations from Scarborough to Stoke-on-Trent.

7. Claire's - 145 stores closed

Following administration, 145 Claire's UK stores were permanently shuttered. A rescue deal saved 156 other stores and about 1,000 jobs, but the affected branches were not included.

8. Homebase - 65 stores closed

Homebase entered administration at the end of 2024. Of the 74 stores put up for sale, 70 were saved by other retailers like The Range, Wilko, and Sainsbury's, leaving 65 permanently closed.

9. Bodycare - 115 stores closed

In 2025, the UK beauty chain Bodycare closed all of its stores after entering administration, with a total of around 115 stores shutting down

10. LEON - around 20 restaurants closed

The fast-casual chain restructured its UK operations, closing roughly 20 restaurants and reducing staff.

11. Halifax - over 100 branches closed

Also part of Lloyds Banking Group, Halifax closed or planned to close over 100 branches in 2025 as part of a broader reduction strategy, mirroring trends across the banking sector.