Select Fashion is set to shut down 35 stores in the UK, particularly affecting locations in the North East, as it struggles amid ongoing retail challenges.
Select Fashion, a popular high street clothing retailer, is reportedly preparing to close 35 of its stores in the UK, with several locations in the North East affected. This announcement comes amidst ongoing challenges faced by the brand, which has seen significant downsizing since entering administration in 2019. Select, which currently operates over 80 outlets nationwide, is set to reduce its footprint to just 48 stores following the closures, as detailed in documents reviewed by The Sun.
The closures are expected to take place over the coming weeks, with most sites anticipated to cease trading by March 15. Among the branches identified for closure are those in South Shields, Ashington, Peterlee, and Hartlepool in County Durham. Other closures have already occurred in Wolverhampton and Kidderminster earlier this year, contributing to a worrying trend on the UK high street.
The list of locations slated for shutdown includes branches in Runcorn, Accrington, Middlesbrough, Hull, and several others across England and Wales. Select Fashion’s current operational status in shopping centres, such as the Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland and locations in Washington and Cramlington, remains unclear; however, they are not believed to be immediately affected by these impending closures.
The management of Select Fashion has undergone significant changes over the years. After its administration in 2019, the company was acquired by Genus UK Limited, which is now also managing recent restructuring efforts. The brand entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) last summer, a formal agreement allowing it to make arrangements with creditors to manage outstanding debts.
Recent analysis from the Centre for Retail Research has highlighted an alarming trend of store closures across the UK, with 13,479 shops shutting down in 2024 alone, equating to approximately 37 closures every day. This trend has included other high-street retailers such as Homebase, WHSmith, and New Look, which have recently announced branch closures.
Overall, these developments signal ongoing turbulence in the retail sector, with Select Fashion’s fate contributing to the broader narrative of high street decline as various brands grapple with the realities of changing consumer behaviours and economic pressures.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://fashionunited.com/news/business/select-fashion-set-to-close-12-stores-across-the-uk-following-cva-filing/2025021164432 – This article corroborates Select Fashion’s store closures in the UK, specifically mentioning locations like Ashington and Hartlepool, and the company’s entry into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
- https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jan/10/uk-high-street-store-closures-2024 – This article supports the broader trend of high street store closures in the UK, mentioning other retailers like Homebase and WHSmith.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62355176 – This article discusses the challenges faced by UK retailers, including economic pressures and changing consumer behaviors, which aligns with the reasons behind Select Fashion’s downsizing.
- https://www.retail-week.com/analysis/retail-data/uk-store-closures-hit-record-high-in-2024/7051961.article – This article highlights the alarming rate of store closures across the UK in 2024, supporting the claim of significant retail sector turbulence.
- https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-east/select-fashion-closures-continue – This article provides further details on Select Fashion’s store closures in the North East, aligning with the locations mentioned in the original article.
- https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2024/02/uk-high-street-store-closures-continue-to-rise/ – This article discusses the ongoing trend of store closures on the UK high street, including the impact on retailers like Select Fashion.
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:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and ongoing trends in the retail sector, such as store closures in 2024 and Select Fashion’s restructuring efforts. However, it does not provide a specific date for the announcement, which could indicate it might be a recent development but lacks precise timing.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Chronicle Live, a reputable regional news outlet. However, some details are attributed to documents reviewed by The Sun, which adds a layer of complexity in verifying the information.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about store closures and restructuring efforts are plausible given the broader context of retail challenges in the UK. The narrative aligns with known trends of high street decline and restructuring among retailers.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and aligns with known trends in the retail sector. The lack of direct quotes and some reliance on secondary sources are noted, but overall, the information seems plausible and originates from a generally reliable outlet.
