Shoppers devastated as major department store announces another closure in 2026

House of Fraser has left shoppers devastated by announcing another closure for next year. Closing down signs have appeared in the windows of its Plymouth branch, indicating trading will cease in March 2026, leaving the iconic department store with just 11 branches across the UK.

The shop was due to close in 2018 after House of Fraser fell into administration; however, it was saved when Sports Direct saved the chain for £90million. Now, the Plymouth store is advertising 20% off all stock ahead of its final closure. The building has been listed for £3million with commercial property agent, Vickery Holman.

Devastated shoppers have taken to social media to express their sadness, with one customer writing: "There goes the only decent department stores we had left and one of the best baby changing stations! Genuinely gutted."

A second added: "So many happy memories from my childhood and teenage years in this store - would come here with my much loved family who are all now gone - sad times."

A third dismayed shopper said: "Another boarded up shop."

The department store closed its Bristol branch last year and has closed nearly 50 stores since 2018, when it fell into serious financial trouble and Sports Direct offered a deal to purchase the 169-year-old chain, just hours after it went into administration.

Frasers Group, whose brands include Sports Direct, House of Fraser and Flannels, said while trading had improved compared with last year's government budget-affected period, it was still weaker than the same period in its 2023/2024 year.

Its chief financial officer Chris Wootton said constant speculation ahead of the latest budget was "incredibly annoying".

While its revenue was up 5.0% to £2.58billion for its first half to October 26, it noted that Sports Direct performed well, as did the luxury sector, particularly at Flannels.