A major high street chain has launched a closing-down sale as one of its stores is set to shut amid widespread closures across the UK.
The brand has closed several of its UK stores in recent months (Image: Getty)
A high street store that has locations all across the UK has launched a closing-down sale in one of its stores. It comes as bosses shutter several locations around the UK in a fresh blow to the high street. Smiggle is among the high street brands that are closing a number of its stores across the UK. It joins the likes of Poundland and River Island, two chains that have also largely scaled back the number of in-person stores they operate in Britain.
Smiggle is a popular children’s high street chain known for selling toys, stationery and arts and crafts. It has cut prices in its store in Redditch, Worcestershire, by 70% on some items as it gears to shutter tomorrow, February 22. The brand originates in Australia, having launched in Melbourne in 2003. It launched in the UK with its first British store in 2014. It opened up in Redditch in 2017 and has been a staple of the town’s retail offering ever since. However, it will close its doors for the last time this weekend.
The upcoming closure follows a slew of Smiggle stores shutting up shop last year, including branches in Dundee, Shrewsbury and Cwmbran.
At its peak, Smiggle had more than 130 stores across the UK. However, the difficulties facing the retail industry have certainly been felt by the brand’s British operations.
According to Smiggle’s website, it now has 94 stores across the UK, which marks a significant decrease from its peak.
Most recently, the brand closed its shop on Coney Street in York. According to the Centre for Retail Research, more than 17,000 UK retail sites are forecast to shut in 2025, with mounting pressures from rent hikes, business rates and increased staffing costs.
The difficulties in today’s trading environment, such as increased rents, increased energy, increased National Insurance contributions and higher national minimum wage, have affected many independent shops and big chains.
Smiggle has become a staple on many UK high streets (Image: Getty)
Locals have reacted to the news of Smiggle’s closure on social media. One Facebook user said: “Another shop closing redditch kingfisher will not be worth shopping in as most of the shops are empty it’s like a ghost town nothing worth going up for!”
Another person added: “Really is sad to see yet another shop closing down in the kingfisher, wish all the staff the best of luck.”
Someone else wrote: “I was just in Redditch and didn’t even think to look in there. Can’t believe it’s closing down.”
Smiggle still operates in several towns and cities across the country. It has five stores in London, five in Greater Manchester, and five in and around Birmingham. It also has stores in Bristol, Liverpool, Oxford, Derby, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sheffield, Leicester and Nottingham, according to its website.
Which Smiggle stores have closed?
The Smiggle stores that are due to close or have closed in the UK are:
- Redditch (closing this weekend)
- Salisbury (closed January 2026)
- Shrewsbury (closed May 2025)
- Inverness (closed May 2025)
- Cwmbran Shopping Centre (closed August 2025)
- Dundee (closed 2023)
