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The last 15 years have been difficult for the high street, and we’ve seen several big brands disappear in the wake of online shopping becoming more popular.
As of late, Boots, Marks and Spencer, WHSmith and the Works have been at the forefront of UK store closures in a bid to keep up with the evolving retail landscape.
But some classics which shut shop years ago remain at the forefront of the nation’s shopping culture.
The mere mention of retailers like Woolworths, Blockbuster and BHS stirs up a nostalgic feeling among many Britons, having been high-street staples for several decades.
Express.co.uk looks back on the iconic high-street brands that have ceased to exist as brick-and-mortar shops.
Woolworths
The unforgettable retailer was established in the UK back in 1909 and was forced to close its doors on home soil after 100 years of trade. Woolworths lost its 807 branches when it entered administration during the Great Recession.
Recognised for its bold red logo, bargain stock and pick-and-mix sweets kiosks, the brand has long been regarded as a nostalgic feature of the great British high street. However, Woolworth Europe remains a specialist shop-only brand in Germany, Austria and Poland, and is one of few franchises that does not sell stock online.
(Image: GETTY)
BHS
British Home Stores went bust in 2016 and resulted in a crippling 11,000 job losses. Those affected also endured a shocking wait to confirm what would happen to their pensions after being made redundant.
The nostalgic retailer started as an affordable general store in Brixton, south London in 1928 and became one of the stalwarts of the British high street.
Its widespread store closures followed an 88-year presence on the high street, during which BHS was purchased by Topshop boss Sir Philip Green in 2000. While best known for its affordable offering of homeware and clothing, BHS was famously sold for just £1 to Dominic Chappel in March 2015.
(Image: GETTY)
Blockbuster
Blockbuster once had more than 9,000 stores around the world, but now ceases to exist in the UK. The iconic entertainment retailer was known for its huge range of DVDs and video games available to rent, plus its offering of cinema-style snacks.
The iconic shop closed its doors in January 2014, though 12 independent shops remain open in the US. Massive changes in technology, most recently streaming, left the high street staple defunct, but it remains a core memory of many people’s childhood.
(Image: GETTY)
Debenhams
Debenhams fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic quickly and was forced into administration in April 2019. The retailer, which was first established in 1778, then fell into administration for the second time in April 2020.
The collapse of the business was partly linked to the administration of Arcadia Group – the biggest operator of concessions in Debenhams stores. It wasn’t until May 15, 2021, that all remaining Debenhams shops shut down for good, following several waves of store closures in the months prior.
While the retailer no longer exists on British high streets, it does sell stock online. Fashion giant Boohoo purchased the brand in January 2021 as part of a £55million deal that only included the retailer’s name and website.
(Image: GETTY)
Barratts
In 2009 it was announced that 220 Barratts and PriceLess stores would close, with 2,500 jobs lost as a result. The boots specialists, Barratts entered administration for the third time in five years on November 11, 2013, after an impressive 110 years of trade.
Despite its popularity among high-street shoppers, the British brand failed to “move with the times” and was branded “too fickle” for the changing landscape of shopping that first challenged retailers in the mid-2000s.
(Image: GETTY)
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