Shoppers face fresh uncertainty as another familiar name reshapes its footprint, with discounts starting and signs already coming down.
After a rushed sale rescued much of Claire’s UK and Ireland business, the retailer will shutter 145 branches, with clearance events rolling out and closure dates differing by town. The deal keeps the brand on many high streets, yet a large slice of its estate now prepares for a final trading push.
What’s happening to Claire’s
Administrators confirmed that Modella Capital has acquired the majority of Claire’s UK business and assets. That move stabilises operations for 156 stores, which will keep trading. A separate group of 145 locations did not transfer in the sale and now face permanent closure.
145 shops will close while 156 remain open under new ownership, leaving about 1,000 roles at risk.
Clearance sales have begun at affected branches, with price cuts varying by store. Closing dates differ by location, as landlords, stock levels and staffing influence the timetable.
Where are closures happening
The closures cover England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland. They include flagship and shopping-centre sites such as London’s Oxford Street, Portsmouth’s Cascades, Brighton’s Churchill Square, Coventry city centre and several in-store concessions inside large supermarkets.
- Major city centres: London (multiple), Glasgow, Cardiff, Aberdeen, York, Sheffield
- Busy shopping centres: Churchill Square (Brighton), The Peacocks (Woking), The Lanes (Carlisle), Eastgate (Basildon)
- Retail parks and outlets: Gloucester Quays, Talbot Green Retail Park, Livingston Designer Outlet
- Supermarket concessions: selected Asda supercentres in Watford, Pudsey and Reading
- Ireland: closures across Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny, Sligo and more
Expect posters advertising reductions and fixtures being wound down. Some branches will trade through remaining stock for several weeks; others may shut more quickly if footfall dips or leases end.
Closing-down sales have started in many stores, with final days varying by town and centre.
Why this is happening
Claire’s appointed administrators in the UK and Ireland after its US arm filed for bankruptcy protection. The sale to Modella creates a leaner UK operation. Investors often separate profitable sites from those with poor sales or heavy rent. That appears to be the case here, with the new owner keeping the strongest performers and releasing the rest.
Modella has become a prominent player on Britain’s retail scene. It recently agreed to buy WH Smith’s high street chain, which is being rebranded to TGJones, and previously took over Hobbycraft. Travel-hub WH Smith sites do not form part of that rebrand. Modella’s moves suggest a bet on consolidating established names, cutting overheads and reviving store formats with sharper ranges and tighter cost control.
The numbers at a glance
| Stores closing | 145 |
| Stores remaining open | 156 |
| Jobs at risk | About 1,000 |
| New owner | Modella Capital |
| Timeline | Clearance events now; closures vary by location |
| Regions affected | UK, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland |
What it means for shoppers
Closing stores will run discounts on fashion jewellery, hair accessories, bags and seasonal lines until stock sells. Some branches may exclude certain items or services from offers.
- Gift cards: try to spend them as soon as possible. Ask in-store whether cards are accepted at both closing and surviving branches.
- Returns: closing-down sales often shift to “final sale”. Your Consumer Rights Act protections still apply for faulty goods, but change-of-mind returns may be refused.
- Earrings and piercing: ear-piercing services may stop earlier than the final day. Check before you travel.
- Click-and-collect: confirm your collection store remains open, or arrange an alternative location.
Use gift cards quickly and keep receipts; sale items may be “final” unless they’re faulty.
What it means for staff
Teams in closing shops face redundancy consultation. Some colleagues may transfer to kept stores if vacancies exist nearby. Those in saved branches move under the new owner with continuity of service. Staff should check redundancy pay, notice periods and holiday accrual, and keep records of hours worked.
The wider high street picture
Claire’s adds to a long list of chains rebalancing estates after years of rising rents, energy costs and uneven footfall. Many shopping centres still trail pre‑2020 visitor numbers, while online competitors chip away at impulse purchases in accessories and gifting. Investors now favour fewer, better stores in strong locations, supported by lighter logistics and tighter stock turns.
At the same time, accessory brands remain popular for birthday buys, school events and party seasons. The stores kept open are likely to focus on busier malls, transport-adjacent streets and places with strong teen and family traffic. Expect refreshed displays, curated ranges and more piercing appointments in those sites.
How to check your local store’s status
Look for posters at your branch or ask staff directly. Shopping-centre websites often list current tenants and closure notices. Social media pages for individual centres also flag last trading days and special offers.
Practical tips to make the most of the sales
- Prioritise essentials: pick up school-safe studs, hair ties and multipacks you know you will use.
- Inspect before you pay: test clasps and zips; keep packaging for any warranty discussions.
- Plan gifts early: build a small gift drawer for birthdays and stocking fillers while prices dip.
- Set a limit: discounts tempt overspending; decide your maximum and stick to it.
What could come next
Some closing units may find new tenants quickly, especially in centres courting value chains and beauty bars. Others could sit empty if landlords and potential occupants cannot agree terms. For Claire’s, the immediate focus sits on stabilising the 156 kept stores and rebuilding margins under Modella. If trading improves, a smaller, profitable estate can survive and even expand back into target towns later.
Shoppers who rely on Claire’s for ear piercing or last‑minute gifts can look to nearby surviving branches or independent boutiques. Many chemists and jewellers offer piercing and carry basic studs, while supermarkets stock hair accessories. Keep an eye on local centre maps for replacements, pop‑ups and seasonal kiosks that often arrive in the run‑up to Christmas.
Can someone confirm how to check individual branches beyond the vague “posters in‑store”? My local is in Churchill Square, Brighton, but I can’t get there this week. Also, are gift cards definately accepted at both closing and surviving shops until the doors shut, or does it vary by store? Don’t want to trek only to be told “final sale, no cards”. Any official source from Modella or the administrators would be helpful.