CHRISTMAS shopping has a different feel this year as many of the British public’s favourite and much loved brands have disappeared from the high street.
Here are all the shops that disappeared forever in 2021.
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The pandemic and a shift to online shopping has put pressure on the already struggling high street retail sector.
High street brands were already finding it hard to compete with the more user-friendly online shopping options, which were also often cheaper.
Lockdown and social distancing restrictions also made it more difficult for high street retailers to survive this year as customer numbers were hit, which affected their bottom line.
Well-known names have either had to cut the number of stores or even close down altogether.
This has sadly caused job losses and gaps on the high street.
More than 8,700 chain stores disappeared from Great Britain’s retail locations in the first six months of 2021, according to PwC research compiled by the Local Data Company.
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Many iconic brands have disappeared after the collapse of Philip Green’s Arcadia retail empire at the end of last year.
Here are the shops that have scaled back or disappeared from the high street forever in 2021.
Amanda Wakeley
Fashion designer Amanda Wakeley’s retail brand went into administration in May 2021, citing the impact of the pandemic.
The fashion label has gained notoriety after its trouser suits were worn by Princess Diana and former Prime Minister Theresa May.
Its flagship Mayfair store has closed but it continues to trade online.
Dawsons Music
Dawsons Music is one of the UK’s oldest musical instrument shops.
It has been around since 1898 but fell into administration this year despite a relaunch in 2020.
Five of its shops have closed, leaving just one in Chester.
Debenhams
The 241-year-old retailer entered administration last year but attempts to save its stores ran into 2021.
It went into liquidation in December after JDSports pulled out of rescue talks.
Boohoo eventually purchased the Debenhams name and website in a £55million deal during March 2021 – but not its 124 stores.
Around 12,000 jobs were also lost as a result.
Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton
Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton were three of the main victims of the Arcadia collapse.
Online retailer Boohoo swooped in during April 2021 and purchased all three brands and websites as part of a £25.3million.
However, Boohoo didn’t buy the physical shops, which meant 214 stores closed forever.
High street closures in 2020
HERE’S a round-up of some of the big names on the high street that went under last year:
- Philip Green’s retail empire Arcadia collapsed collapsed in November, putting 13,000 jobs and 444 stores at risk
- Department store chain Beales went into administration in January with 23 shops and 1,052 jobs at risk
- High end fashion brand Ted Baker said it plans to axe 160 jobs in February
- Brighthouse and Carluccio’s went into administration at the end of March
- Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse said in March that it’ll close all 531 standalone stores in April
- Debenhams entered administration for the second time in 12 months in April, and has since announced a number of store closures
- Struggling shoe shop Office put itself up for sale in April 2020
- Oasis and Warehouse closed down in April 2020 with the loss of 1,800 jobs
- Cath Kidston closed all 60 shops in April 2020 with the loss of 900 jobs
- Clarks said in May 2020 that it would have to lose 900 roles as high street closures loom
- Shoe chain Aldo collapsed into administration in June 2020 with five stores permanently closed
- Victoria’s Secrets plunged into administration in June 2020, putting 800 jobs at risk
- Fashion chain Quiz put its shop business into administration in June 2020, putting 82 stores at risk
John Lewis store closures
Several John Lewis stores remained closed once lockdown restrictions were lifted earlier this year.
The retailer first warned that some of its 42 stores would not be reopening after lockdown following a £517million loss last year – the first loss in the group’s history dating back to 1864.
In March 2021, the partnership then announced the closure of eight John Lewis stores, which put 1,456 roles at risk.
Jaeger
The high-end fashion brand Jaeger disappeared from the high street during 2021.
It was taken over by Marks and Spencer in January 2021 but its 63 UK stores were permanently closed.
Jessops
The Peter Jones-owned camera retailer called in administrators in March 2021 after being badly hit by coronavirus restrictions.
It had already fallen into administration in 2019 when it survived by halving its stores.
A company voluntary arrangement to restructure the business was agreed in August 2021.
It currently has 17 stores.
Marks and Spencer store closures
Marks and Spencer has been in the processing of closing and merging stores with an aim to shut more than 100 by 2022.
It announced plans to close 30 stores in May.
This was on top of the 59 clothing and food stores the retailer has already closed, plus 15 food-only sites and eight outlets.
Paperchase
Stationery chain Paperchase closed 47 stores this year after collapsing into administration at the start of 2021.
It previously had 127 standalone stores and 46 concessions across the UK.
Peacocks
Peacocks fell into administration in November 2021, putting its 423 stores and thousands of jobs at risk.
However, it was rescued by a group of international investors in April 2021, backed by the chief operating officer of Edinburgh Woollen Mill.
Around half of its stores have reopened but the rest have closed forever.
Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge
These brands were the jewel in the crown of the Arcadia retail empire and a symbol of Oxford Street’s busy shopping centre.
But their doors closed forever this year after Arcadia entered administration in November 2021 and subsequent rescue plans failed.
ASOS bought Topshop, alongside Topman and Miss Selfridge in April 2021 as part of a £330million deal to save the brands.
But ASOS didn’t buy the hundreds of physical shops as part of the deal.
You can still shop at Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge online on ASOS’ website.
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