River Island Closes 33 Stores, Including 2 in Northern Ireland

URGENT UPDATE: Two more Irish River Island stores are confirmed to close permanently as part of an extensive restructuring plan that will see a total of 33 locations shut down. This significant announcement comes after the UK High Court approved the plan earlier today.

The affected stores, located in Bangor Bloomfield and Lisburn in Northern Ireland, will cease operations in January 2026. This follows the recent closure of the Henry Street store in Dublin at the end of June 2023, a move that has left many customers seeking alternatives.

Customers were informed through in-store signage stating, “This store will be closing from Friday, June 27.” River Island has advised shoppers to visit its nearby Grafton Street location or shop online as they navigate these closures.

The restructuring plan aims to stabilize the retailer’s finances and reduce its debt, as River Island struggles against rising competition from ultra-cheap fast fashion brands and a decline in customer spending. CEO Ben Lewis expressed relief over the High Court’s approval, stating, “We are pleased that River Island’s restructuring plan has been approved. This decision gives us a strong platform to deliver this.”

“The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden,” Lewis added in a previous statement.

In addition to the closures, the future of another 71 shops remains uncertain, as the company seeks to realign its store portfolio with customer needs.

In contrast to River Island’s setbacks, McElhinney’s department store in Ballybofey has announced an exciting return: the first Topshop store in Ireland since the brand’s closure in 2020. The new store is set to open on August 21, much to the delight of Irish fans who have expressed their excitement on social media.

One enthusiastic fan remarked, “I AM SO READY!!!” while others echoed sentiments of anticipation for the brand’s comeback. The Arcadia Group, which previously owned Topshop, collapsed in 2020, leading to the closure of all its stores. The brand was later acquired by ASOS for approximately €300 million in 2021.

As River Island works through its restructuring, the retail landscape in Ireland continues to evolve rapidly, highlighting the pressing need for adaptation in a challenging market.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.