High Street & Retail
High street and retail news: shop openings and closures, retail sales figures, changing shopping habits, and the brands shaping Britain's town centres. Desk editor: Amy Irwin (AiBusiness).
Business rates cut pressure grows ahead of Budget
The bosses of M&S and John Lewis are pressing the chancellor over the high street tax burden before the Budget, months after new business rates multipliers replaced retail relief.
UK fashion retail sales fall back in July as promotions come early
ONS figures show clothing stores on the high street lost sales in July after a strong June. The data do not name any chain or confirm a closing-down sale.
UK high street store closures October 2026: Typo, charity shops
Typo has closed in Newcastle's Eldon Square and charity chains are cutting shops. Here is what is reported about retail store closures this month, and what is not.
Boots new owner 2026: what the Weston deal could mean for you
Boots ownership change: what it could mean for prescriptions, prices and its 50,000 UK and Ireland staff, after the Weston family agreed a deal that has yet to complete.
Budget 2026: Tesco chief urges Chancellor to exempt retailers from higher rates on large properties
Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy has urged the Chancellor to exempt retailers from higher business rates on large properties, while John Lewis chair Jason Tarry criticises possible warehouse levy proposals ahead of the 28 October Budget.
Empty shop grants of up to £5,000 offered in Oswestry
Oswestry is offering up to £5,000 to businesses that take on long-empty units. Rotherham and a £10m hospitality fund also support bringing vacant property back into use, but there is no single national scheme.
UK retail footfall falls 2.9% in September as Budget and Christmas near
After a 2.9% fall in September footfall, the BRC and John Lewis have set out tax asks for the Chancellor ahead of the 28 October Budget, as Christmas trading nears.
Online sales tax plan could cut high street business rates
A think tank says a 2% levy on large retailers' remote sales could raise £1.5bn to cut business rates for shops, pubs and restaurants. Ministers have not backed it.
Harvey Nichols stores in Bristol and Leeds set to become Flannels
Frasers Group is understood to be turning both stores into Flannels, while Harvey Nichols keeps Knightsbridge, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Halifax app closing 2026: what to do before 31 October
The Halifax banking app shutdown began on 5 October, with the app due out of service on Saturday 31 October. Customers must move to the Lloyds app.
Weston family agrees £6.7bn deal to buy Boots
The Canadian Weston family's Wittington Investments has agreed to buy Boots from Sycamore Partners and the Pessina family. Here is what the Weston deal means for shoppers, stores and staff.
Proudfoot’s three Scarborough supermarkets close after Tesco sale
Proudfoot's Newby, Manham Hill and Seamer supermarkets in Scarborough traded for the last time on Sunday after a sale to Tesco, the BBC reported.
About our High Street & Retail coverage
We report from company announcements, official retail data and local sources, with clear verification for every closure claim.