Latest news with #Beckton
South Wales Argus
26-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Full list of River Island stores set to close across UK
The fashion retailer unveiled a radical restructuring plan earlier this month to reverse recent heavy losses due to a slump in trading. Bosses blamed the closures on the 'migration of shoppers from the high street to online' and higher costs to run stores. The family-owned retailer confirmed it will close 33 of its 230 stores by January next year as a result. A further 71 stores are also at risk, depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals. It's unclear how many jobs are under threat from a formal rescue deal, though the business previously said: "We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum." In total, River Island employs around 5,500 people. Closing in January 2026 are River Island stores in: 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 Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, said: 'River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street. 'However, the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs. 'The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden.' River Island store closures – shoppers react Shoppers on X, formerly Twitter, shared their thoughts around the closures as well as losing another high street name. Recommended reading: One person said: 'We are creating ghost towns, more empty shops and a deserted high street. Another added: 'I used to love River Island, it was where you'd go for a night out outfit.' One shared: 'That's 33 [shops] too many if you ask me – proper shops should stay, not vanish like they're just a bad dream. And another commented: 'More and more shop online, why risk the costs of rent, rates and electricity for high street stores along with staffing and shoplifting losses?"
Powys County Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Full list of River Island stores set to close across UK
River Island has announced the locations of the 33 shops it is set to close – with hundreds of jobs still at risk. The fashion retailer unveiled a radical restructuring plan earlier this month to reverse recent heavy losses due to a slump in trading. Bosses blamed the closures on the 'migration of shoppers from the high street to online' and higher costs to run stores. The family-owned retailer confirmed it will close 33 of its 230 stores by January next year as a result. A further 71 stores are also at risk, depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals. It's unclear how many jobs are under threat from a formal rescue deal, though the business previously said: "We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum." In total, River Island employs around 5,500 people. Closing in January 2026 are River Island stores in: 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 Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, said: 'River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street. 'However, the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs. 'The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden.' River Island store closures – shoppers react Shoppers on X, formerly Twitter, shared their thoughts around the closures as well as losing another high street name. One person said: 'We are creating ghost towns, more empty shops and a deserted high street. Another added: 'I used to love River Island, it was where you'd go for a night out outfit.' One shared: 'That's 33 [shops] too many if you ask me – proper shops should stay, not vanish like they're just a bad dream.
Metro
25-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Full list of River Island shops set to close next year revealed
River Island has confirmed which of its 230 shops will close as part of a major restructure to try and save the business. The fashion retailer announced last week that it will close its least profitable 33 branches across the UK after making a loss of £33.2milion in 2023. Hundreds of jobs are at risk as the brand plans to close 33 shops by January of next year – but there are another 71 branches at risk if River Island is unable to renegotiate rents with its landlords. The brand's owners blamed shoppers buying online instead of on the high street, as well as the increasing cost of running physical stores, for the slump in trading. The family-owned retailer, which was founded in 1948, has brought in advisers to oversee the restructure process. Those owed money by River Island will vote on the restructure plan in August, which if approved will lead to new funding being invested into the business. The restructure comes after a redundancy programme was brought in at its head office in London in January to try and save some cash. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video River Island did not confirm how many people were made redundant out of its 5,500 staff nationwide. Speaking last week, CEO Ben Lewis said: 'River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British high street. 'However the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs. More Trending 'The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden. Fashion publication Drapers has published a list of the 33 River Island branches set to close: 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 'We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability. 'Recent improvements in our fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing very positive results, but it is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island's future as a profitable retail business. View More » 'We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Martin Lewis warns UK shoppers are being 'fobbed off' — but SAD FART rule can help MORE: Full list of NatWest branches closing this week MORE: We've found the ultimate M&S dress to wear all summer for under £40 Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
STV News
25-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
Six River Island stores in Scotland among dozens of closures
Six River Island stores across Scotland are set to close after the company announced it would be restructuring amid an increase in running costs. It comes after the retailer unveiled a radical restructuring plan in a bid to reverse recent heavy losses due to a slump in trading last week. Bosses blamed the closures on the 'migration of shoppers from the high street to online' and higher costs to run stores. The company previously confirmed 33 stores would be closing, and announced on Wednesday that six Scottish stores were among them. Stores in Edinburgh Princes Street, Falkirk, Cumbernauld, Kirkcaldy, Kilmarnock and Perth will all close. A further 71 stores are also at risk, depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals. The retailer, which employs around 5,500 people, was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before being renamed in the 1980s. Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, said the sharp rise in the cost of doing business has added to the financial burden the company faces. 'We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability,' he said. He added that recent improvements in the company's fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing 'very positive' results. He continued: 'It is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island's future as a profitable retail business. 'We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.' Full list of River Island store closures 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 Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Thamesmead Waterfront: The London site with room for 15,000 homes
They are two vast sites on the banks of the Thames in east London and you probably haven't heard about the chances are you might are huge development areas called Thamesmead Waterfront and Beckton Riverside. Both are brownfield sites and are earmarked for huge housing developments of thousands of homes, shops and problem is these are among the few areas in London without a rail or Tube link and that is stalling the developers and the mayor want is a commitment from government to an extension of the Dockland Light Railway (DLR).Could that happen in the chancellor's Spending Review? Ed Mayes is the executive director for development at Lendlease, which will develop the Thamesmead site."Our priority for Thamesmead in particular is the DLR extension. We have already got commitment from the mayor and there is commitment from Tfl for the initial stage of funding," he told BBC London. "But what we really need is a government commitment that subject to that initial stage of work they are willing to help fund the actual delivery of the DLR."He says a transport link is crucial."It's been proven across London that transport infrastructure unlocks delivery of homes; that's happened with the Jubilee line and the Elizabeth line, it will continue to happen."This is an area of London that has amazing potential: there could be 15,000 homes at Thamesmead Waterfront, another 15,000 on the north of the river in Beckton - all unlocked by that extension."In addition, there's future potential if it was extended in the future. That will unlock homes, much-needed affordable homes for London, but also the jobs and enterprise that comes with that." It is perhaps no surprise that London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is framing what transport infrastructure he wants in terms of course, creating housing through transport links is not a new idea in the capital. Just one example is the Metropolitan line creating the suburbs in the north west of London dubbed "Metroland".Today, the main projects on the City Hall wish list are the DLR extension to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead Waterfront, the Bakerloo extension and the West London of them link areas where thousands of homes could be links do not come cheap though and are beyond the realms of Tfl's budget and so funding would have to come from government.A DLR link to Thamesmead would cost about £1.5bn and involve a tunnel under the Hall said in a statement: "The mayor wants to work in partnership with government to support the national growth agenda. With the right investment and devolution of powers, there is a huge opportunity to unlock growth; create new jobs; attract international investment; and ensure London contributes more to the national economy and the Exchequer's finances." Just down the road from Thamesmead is Abbey Wood. It got an Elizabeth line station three years ago. Once known as the cheapest postcode in London, the area is Lewis is executive director for sustainable places at Peabody, which developed the Southmere Lake site in Abbey Wood. "I think in any part of London that's changing, if there hasn't been an established market or people don't know the area, you need to give some confidence, you need a reason to come and visit," he said. "I think with the arrival of the Elizabeth line, people really understood that it was a new area opening up to a lot of Londoners so we saw people from east London coming here to visit for the first time and recognise all the open areas and green space."People started to recognise this was somewhere they wanted to view and ultimately move to."There have been objections to the Southmere Lake redevelopment, though, with opponents saying some of the homes demolished to make way for it should instead have been refurbished. As regards Thamesmead Waterfront, a project he is also involved in, Mr Lewis says transport infrastructure is critical."I think what's really exciting about the Waterfront is 100 hectares of land that's hardly been developed at all. In London terms that's unheard of."You have two kilometres of the waterfront of the Thames and we have got the capacity to get 15,000 homes built and a million square feet of other uses. "It would be a new neighbourhood for London, but the critical thing we need to make that happen is the arrival of excellent public transport - which is bringing the DLR over to Thamesmead." The government's target is to build 1.5 million new homes by if London can't deliver a large number of new homes, there is little chance the government will hit that number. To do that, it will mean transport infrastructure being funded to reach the undeveloped sites in Thamesmead and Beckton.
