High Street

[Alex]

Just reading two more well known shops have gone into administration, The Original Factory Shop and Claire's, with 2000 jobs lost.   So many shops have closed down in last few  years, names too big to close, like Debenhams, BHS, Wilko, The Body Shop, House of Fraser etc etc.... pretty soon our high streets will be just charity shops.

[GrannyMac]

We've had lots of new items from Claire's in our charity shop.  Having granddaughters, I know it was really popular when they were younger, but it's so pricy for the kind of tat they can get from Temu for pennies now.   

I still miss BHS. 😢

[Mups]

Just reading two more well known shops have gone into administration, The Original Factory Shop and Claire's, with 2000 jobs lost.  So many shops have closed down in last few  years, names too big to close, like Debenhams, BHS, Wilko, The Body Shop, House of Fraser etc etc.... pretty soon our high streets will be just charity shops.

But don't forget the tattoo parlours, nail bars and dubious looking men's barbers too.     

January 06, 2026, 09:48:21 AM

We've had lots of new items from Claire's in our charity shop.  Having granddaughters, I know it was really popular when they were younger, but it's so pricy for the kind of tat they can get from Temu for pennies now. 

I still miss BHS. 😢

I still miss Wilko's a lot, too,  and a decent stationery shop  since W.H.Smith and Coleman's went.

[Michael Rolls]

Didn't realise Smiths had gone

[klondike]

I was thinking that - maybe it's not the whole chain. Will do a search.

Yes many stores but not the whole chain it seems - https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/heres-the-full-list-of-whsmith-stores-that-are-closing-for-good-in-2025-012025

[Mups]

I didn't know some branches were still open, Klondie.     The one we had here in the high street is long gone.
I have just seen that Poundland is going too,  plus River Island and Hobbycraft.

[klondike]

I'm pretty sure that River Island and Hobbycraft packed up here a while ago but I think we still have a WH Smith.

[Mups]

I'm pretty sure that River Island and Hobbycraft packed up here a while ago but I think we still have a WH Smith.

Our W.H.Smith  closed about 5 years ago here.

I used to use Colemans (office supplies)  a lot too,  they were good for stationery, print cartridges, pens etc,  but they closed their shop and then their nearby warehouse too.

[klondike]

Tbh for my stationery needs a big supermarket fits the bill. I think we still have a smaller shop called The Works that does coloured felt tips and stuff like that.

[Mups]

I think its a sad reflection on today that there are no book shops any more either,  probably because most of todays kids use their phones for everything.
I don't want to use gadgets to read,  I need a proper book.

Some of the supermarkets,  like Tesco and Waitrose  have second hand book shelves too.   
If you wanted to buy a nice book for someone you'd have to get it online now.

[Dextrous63]

I recommend this book.  It has a section on the demise of shops, and is generally very funny.  I got mine as a kindle download.  The hard copy (inc paperback) is a bit too pricey, otherwise I'd buy a few copies and give them to friends.

[GrannyMac]

I think we're lucky. In the city centre we have WH Smiths and Waterstones (bookshop) as well as Rymans for stationery. M&S and a variety of other shops.  Locally there are several supermarkets, Home Bargains, B&M, butchers', fish shop, bakers' and greengrocers.  

There's a Wilko in Rotherham! 

[Michael Rolls]

Can't get to shopping, but rely on deliveries

[Dextrous63]

I think we're lucky. In the city centre we have WH Smiths and Waterstones (bookshop) as well as Rymans for stationery. M&S and a variety of other shops.  Locally there are several supermarkets, Home Bargains, B&M, butchers', fish shop, bakers' and greengrocers. 

There's a Wilko in Rotherham!

I thought Wilko stores are no more, but their stuff can be ordered online and picked up in some shops that may stock some of their stuff anyway.

[Mups]

I thought Wilko stores are no more, but their stuff can be ordered online and picked up in some shops that may stock some of their stuff anyway.

I thought Wilko's were no more, too.  

It sounds like they might be doing the same as  Bon Marche did.   They closed their stores near me, but you can still order from them online.