Claire’s to close remaining UK stores on Tuesday with more than 1,000 job losses

Claire’s collapsed into administration in January, months after about half the chain had been rescued by Modella Capital. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenClaire’s collapsed into administration in January, months after about half the chain had been rescued by Modella Capital. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesRetail industryClaire’s to close remaining UK stores on Tuesday with more than 1,000 job lossesSources say staff have been asked to pack up final stock and equipment after waves of closuresSarah ButlerMon 27 Apr 2026 13.52 EDTFirst published on Mon 27 Apr 2026 11.34 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleJewellery and accessories chain Claire’s is closing its final UK stores on Tuesday with the loss of more than 1,000 jobs and ending three decades on British high streets.Sources said staff at Claire’s, which had 154 stores when it collapsed in January, had been asked to pack up the final stock and equipment with the remaining outlets to formally close on Tuesday after successive waves of closures in recent weeks.Administrators at Kroll confirmed that all remaining shops ceased trading on Monday and “all store employees have been advised of redundancy”.The move does not affect the retailer’s 356 concessions, including many in Asda stores, and its head office.Talks are thought to be continuing to find a new owner for the Claire’s brand in the UK with French entrepreneur Julien Jarjoura, who controls the brand in several mainland European countries.Claire’s collapsed into administration in January just a few months after about half the chain – 154 stores – had been rescued by Modella Capital in August.The deal had saved about 1,300 jobs at the time. The 145 branches not bought by Modella were closed by administrators in late November.In March, Kroll said 15 of the remaining 154 stores had closed, cutting more than 100 jobs, including at its head office, as it continued to try to find a buyer.It said on Monday: “We understand an interested party is in discussion with a number of landlords with a view to taking new leases for some of the sites.”The future of the brand in the UK is unclear. The Claire’s UK website has already been “paused” with customers unable to buy products through it.The jewellery and ear-piercing retailer’s UK arm had struggled as sales fell in the face of competition from online retailers such as Amazon as well as the rise of sales via social media such as TikTok.US-based Claire’s arrived in the UK in 1996 through the acquisition of accessories chain Bow Jangles.According to local newspaper reports, stores that closed in recent weeks included Cheshire Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, Stockport, Watford and Bangor, while Swindon closed last weekend. Stores in Romford, Oxford and Chester were also reported to be plastered in closing down signs.Its UK arm’s difficulties increased after Claire’s in the US and Canada filed for bankruptcy for the second time in seven years.Founded in 1961 in Chicago, Claire’s has become staple in British shopping centres and high streets since the 1990s. The group, which operated more than 2,750 stores across 17 countries in North America and Europe, has been particularly popular among teenagers.In a report published in March, Kroll said it did not expect to pay out to unsecured creditors, including suppliers, landlords and staff, who are collectively owed £10.6m. It added it was likely that Modella, which has secured debts of £5.5m, would receive at least some…

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