With consumers tightening their belts, high street businesses have witnessed a decrease in foot traffic and revenues since the pandemic's onset.

This downturn, alongside ongoing restructures and hefty rents has compelled numerous chains to close down, including the likes of Debenhams and fashion giant Topshop which now exists exclusively online.

October marks yet another month of widespread closures, following a busy summer. Changes to the high street are reflected by shocking figures from the Centre for Retail Research which recorded 1,846 store closures and 23,982 job losses in retail in the first half of 2024.

This month will follow the trend, with prominent names like Game, Poundland, and Tesco announcing store closures.

However, it's not all doom and gloom, as some sites look forward to being replaced by larger, more modern premises.

Stores closing in October

Boots

The pharmacy giant provided a significant update on its store closure plans, following an earlier announcement that 300 shops would permanently close.

Since 2023, Boots has shut around 290 shops to reduce its store estate from around 2,200 down to 1,900 sites. According to The Sun, the 10 remaining stores are expected to shut by the end of October.

Boots has never published a full list of pharmacies that would close under the plans, but the majority of the affected sites shut after their store lease expired.

Poundland

The budget retailer is poised to shut its doors in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands this Saturday, October 5. Poundland’s shock closure has been credited to failed lease negotiations with the landlord.

A spokesperson for the retailer said: "We know how disappointing this will be." It comes after a string of closures by the brand elsewhere in the country.

The retailer previously bid farewell to its Macclesfield location in August due to lease issues and closed a site in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, that had been acquired from the collapsed Wilko chain in July. Despite this, the company has significantly expanded its high street footprint of late.

Tesco

The supermarket giant is preparing to bid farewell to one of its superstore sites between October 2024 and autumn 2025.

Located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, the Tesco store will remain closed while the local council reconfigures the site.

“Our superstore will reopen in autumn 2025 with a refreshed look and feel which we’re excited to share with customers”, revealed a spokesperson.

Game

Gaming and technology fans will see a longstanding store in The Broadway Shopping Centre, Bradford, shut down this month.

A huge closing-down sale has been launched to clear all stock, with customers encouraged to visit the store before it's too late.

The branch, which is located in the Petergate Mall, does not yet have a confirmed closure date. In mid-September, however, a spokesperson for The Broadway revealed: “We can confirm that Game will be closing and we will be announcing new fashion and beauty retailers in the coming weeks."

Almost a dozen Game branches have shut in England and Wales since October last year, including one in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Witney in Oxfordshire and one in Plymouth, Devon.

Trespass

The popular retailer which sells ski wear, waterproof jackets, walking boots and camping gear has launched a huge clearance sale, urging “everything must go” at its Silverburn shopping centre store in Glasgow.

An exact date is yet to be announced for the closure though it’s expected to be soon given the heavily discounted stock in store.

With a 170-store-wide portfolio, the brand isn’t in danger of disappearing from high streets though it did announce last summer that it would shutter half a dozen branches.

Cineworld

Movie fanatics could lose their local Cineworld screens after the industry giant revealed plans to close six UK sites.

Cineworld has entered the first phase of a major restructuring which will see venues in Glasgow, Bedford, Hinckley, Loughborough, Yate, and Swindon close down over the coming months.

A spokesperson for the entertainment brand said: “We are implementing a restructuring plan that will provide our company with a strong platform to return our business to profitability, attract further investment from the group, and ensure a sustainable long-term future for Cineworld in the UK.”

A silver lining remains, however, as 25 other cinemas remain immune to these restructuring manoeuvres, their screens staying lit well into the horizon. Additionally, the cinema chain is reportedly in the midst of renegotiating lease terms for approximately 50 locations.