UK stores shutting shops within days including Poundland, Dobbies and Trespass

The pressure on the British high street is intensifying, with a notable surge of store closures planned for the end of October. Retail experts have warned that a mixture of rocketing operational costs and persistent low consumer confidence is making many physical locations financially unviable. Poundland has already closed at least six stores in locations like Twickenham, Lowestoft, and Rochdale, while fashion retailer New Look recently shut its doors at The Potteries Centre in Stoke-on-Trent. 

Zelf Hussain, Restructuring Partner at PwC UK, recently commented that while household finances may be improving, “consumer confidence remains cautious.” He added that with “substantial payroll cost increases and higher business rates taking effect in April, profit margins will remain under pressure, further straining high street retailers.” The Centre for Retail Research has estimated that the total number of store closures across the UK in 2025 could reach around 17,350, highlighting that these latest closures are not isolated incidents but part of a wide, necessary contraction across the sector. Here are the brands and locations that are closing their doors for good before the end of the month.

Poundland

Poundland is continuing its major portfolio rationalisation plan, which began earlier this year following its takeover by investment firm Gordon Brothers.

The closures are primarily due to leases expiring on unprofitable sites as the discount retailer looks to focus on its strongest locations.

Shoppers in three locations across the UK will see their local branch shut down permanently this month, with many more closures confirmed for November.

Poundland stores closing:

• Leicester, 24 Belgrave Gate, LE1 3GP: Closes October 17, 2025
• Tenby, Former Gatehouse Cinema, White Lion Street, SA70 7AZ: Closes October 18, 2025
• Blackpool, Cherry Tree Retail Park: Closes October 25, 2025
• Deal: Closes October 27, 2025
• Thurrock: Closes October 27, 2025
• Walsall, Unit 8, St Matthews Quarter, WS1 1PU: Closes October 29, 2025

Trespass

The outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Trespass is also closing one of its UK stores this month, in Watford, at the Harlequin Shopping Centre. Shoppers will see the shop close on October 31, 2025.

The Original Factory Shop

The budget general retailer, The Original Factory Shop, is set to permanently close its store in Inverness this October.

The closure follows a strategic review of its portfolio, with the company opting to withdraw from this particular high street location as it adapts to changing consumer habits and commercial costs.

Dobbies Garden Centres

The bulk of Dobbies’ internal restructuring and site closures took place earlier in 2025, with eight stores closing between January and March.

These sites, which included Rugby, Morpeth, Stapleton, Havant, Hare Hatch, Leicester, Aylesbury, and Northampton, were deemed unprofitable as part of a strategy to ensure the firm’s long-term future.

However, not all these garden spots are being lost; the Northampton branch, for example, was immediately taken over by British Garden Centres and continues to operate under its new ownership, a trend seen at other former Dobbies locations. No Dobbies-branded stores are currently scheduled for closure in the remaining days of October 2025.