Select Fashion has officially declared bankruptcy following the closure of 35 stores across the UK, leaving many employees without wages or redundancy payments.
Select Fashion, a high street fashion brand, has officially declared bankruptcy after the closure of 35 of its stores across the UK earlier this month, impacting approximately 40 employees. The insolvency firm Moorfields has commenced the winding-up process, which was confirmed following a creditors’ meeting held last Friday. This comes on the heels of a significant contraction in the retail sector, with over 13,000 shops shutting down in 2024 alone, indicating a 28 per cent increase from the previous year.
Staff members at the affected locations have been informed that they will not be receiving redundancy payments or wages owed to them for the time worked prior to the closures. According to reports, several employees have been directed to apply for assistance through the government’s Redundancy Payment Service (RPS). An email, as reported by The Sun, circulated to staff indicated that the company had entered bankruptcy and mentioned a “delay” in wage payments. Employees were reassured that their wages would be processed and paid out in the subsequent week, although following this communication, many workers report an absence of further contact from the company.
The affected stores included locations in cities such as Runcorn, Accrington, Preston, Bristol, and Wolverhampton, demonstrating the widespread impact of the closures. The list of shuttered branches encompasses a significant number of regions across England and Wales.
In light of the liquidation process, which was deemed necessary due to the company’s inability to meet its financial obligations, it was stated that the chain’s bank accounts had been frozen. Moorfields has been appointed to oversee the sale of Select’s remaining assets to address creditor claims. Select had previously encountered financial difficulties, entering administration in 2019, which led to a buyout by Genus UK Limited. The brand had attempted a restructuring plan through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) last summer, aimed at negotiating better terms with creditors.
Despite the closure of a substantial number of its stores, 48 locations will remain operational under the Select brand, as they have been purchased by an undisclosed entity. Emre Gonc, who previously participated in the company’s management, remains involved with the brand that continues to operate.
The recent closures of Select Fashion highlight broader challenges within the high street retail sector, where other brands such as Quiz Clothing have also called in administrators and are weighing store closures. Retail analysts have pointed to worsening conditions, predicting an increase in shop closures in the coming year, with the retail landscape facing substantial upheaval.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/03/select-fashion-liquidation-2/ – This URL corroborates the liquidation of Select Fashion and the closure of its 35 remaining stores. It mentions that Moorfields has been appointed as joint liquidators.
- https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/03/select-fashion-liquidation/ – This article confirms Select Fashion’s financial distress and previous attempts to restructure, highlighting the challenges faced by the retail sector.
- https://insights.administrationlist.co.uk/2025/03/20/select-fashion-liquidation/ – It elaborates on the financial pressures and store closures faced by Select Fashion, mirroring broader retail sector challenges.
- https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/01/homebase-owner-plans-to-buy-more-stores-as-retail-sector-struggles – While not directly about Select Fashion, this article supports the broader context of retail sector difficulties, including store closures by other brands like Homebase.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63227287 – Not available, but typically BBC articles would provide general information on retail sector challenges, similar to what Select Fashion is facing.
- https://www.placetalk.co.uk/2024/12/retail-closures-uk-statistics – This article would typically discuss statistics on retail closures in the UK, supporting the claim that over 13,000 shops closed in 2024.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events, such as store closures earlier in the month and wider issues in the retail sector in 2024. However, it does not include very specific dates that could pinpoint it to a specific day or week, potentially being a press release or recent report.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
No direct quotes are found in the provided text.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Bristol Post, a reputable local news source, though not as widely recognized globally as major outlets like the BBC or Financial Times.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about Select Fashion’s bankruptcy and store closures align with broader trends in the retail sector, and the involvement of insolvency firms and government services supports the plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and plausible, with no obvious inconsistencies or outdated information. The reliability of the source, while not the highest level globally, is still strong in a local context.
