**Thousands of jobs at risk as Claire’s UK set to close hundreds of shops**
High street fashion accessory chain Claire’s UK is set to close hundreds of its shops across the country, starting this weekend. The retailer entered administration on August 13, casting uncertainty over the future of many of its outlets and jobs.
Last week, it was announced that investment firm Modella Capital had rescued Claire’s by purchasing the majority of the company’s operations and assets from the administrators. However, the deal will only save just over half of the chain’s approximately 300 outlets across the UK and Ireland. Around 148 branches were not included in the sale, putting about 1,000 jobs at risk.
Administrator Interpath confirmed it will keep the 145 stores that are part of the rescue deal open for as long as possible while exploring other options. Meanwhile, clearance sales have already started at some of the outlets, with final closure dates varying by location.
Claire’s UK and Ireland called in administrators after also filing for bankruptcy in the United States. Modella Capital, the new owner, has quickly become a significant player in the UK retail sector since its founding in 2022. Earlier this year, Modella acquired WH Smith’s high street division. Last year, it took over arts and crafts chain Hobbycraft and has also invested in fashion brand Ted Baker.
Natasha Harbinson, Managing Director at Interpath, said:
*“We are pleased to confirm a sale of the majority of Claire’s UK business and assets which will ensure this popular brand will continue to trade on high streets up and down the UK.”*
Claire’s has several branches in and around Merseyside, including Liverpool ONE, Birkenhead, Southport, Chester, Warrington, and Wigan. Will Wright, Interpath’s UK Chief Executive and joint administrator, added:
*“Our intention is to continue to trade the remaining portfolio of stores for as long as we can, while we explore the options available.”*
Joe Price, Managing Director at Modella Capital, commented:
*“As a firm, we strongly believe that this much-loved brand deserves the chance to remain on the High Street in the UK and Ireland. The issues that Claire’s is facing are significant, and we will need to work collaboratively with all interested parties if our proposed rescue plan is to succeed.”*
Professor Joshua Bamfield, Director of the Centre For Retail Research, warned about the wider retail outlook:
*“The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”*
Professor Bamfield also predicted that up to 202,000 retail jobs could be lost in 2025:
*“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household, it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”*
It has been widely reported that Claire’s on Chapel Street in Southport is one of the stores set to close. When approached by the ECHO for confirmation and details on closure timing, a spokesperson for the joint administrators said:
*“Our priority remains to assess all of the options available for the Claire’s stores which did not transfer to Modella as part of the transaction announced on 29 September. In the meantime, however, we have commenced closing down sales in each of the stores in order to sell the remaining stock.”*
The ECHO understands that the Southport Claire’s store was not included in the recent Modella deal. While the store continues to trade, it is uncertain when this will change. A closing down sale has already started to clear remaining stock, but no closure dates have been confirmed at this stage.
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**Stores not transferred to Modella Capital**
*The full list of Claire’s stores that were excluded from the Modella agreement is provided below:*
[Insert list here]
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The future remains uncertain for many Claire’s shops and employees, but the rescue deal will at least keep a significant portion of the beloved high street brand trading across the UK and Ireland.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/full-list-148-claires-shops-32620591
