Claire’s has closed its remaining UK shops, ending the jewellery and accessories chain’s presence on British high streets after nearly 30 years and putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk.
According to sources cited by The Guardian, staff at the retailer were told to clear out remaining stock and equipment as the last outlets stopped trading following earlier rounds of closures.
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Administrator Kroll confirmed that the entire store portfolio has now shut and that “all store employees have been advised of redundancy”.
The closures only apply to Claire’s standalone stores. They do not include its 356 concessions, such as those located in Asda, or the company’s head office.
The business entered administration in January, when it still operated 154 stores.
In August 2025, Modella Capital bought part of the operation in a deal that safeguarded 1,300 jobs. However, 145 stores left out of that transaction were later closed.
Additional closures were announced afterwards. Last month, Kroll said a further 15 stores had ceased trading, with the loss of more than 100 jobs.
Talks over a possible sale of the Claire’s brand in the UK are continuing, with French entrepreneur Julien Jarjoura named as a potential buyer.
Even so, the future of the business remains unclear. Claire’s UK website is currently suspended, and online sales are unavailable.
The UK arm has been under pressure from falling sales, as online competitors, including Amazon, gained ground and shoppers increasingly turned to social media platforms such as TikTok.
Claire’s entered the UK market in 1996 through the purchase of accessories retailer Bow Jangles.
Its difficulties have also been linked to bankruptcy filings by its parent company in the US and Canada.
In a report published in March, Kroll said it did not expect unsecured creditors, including suppliers, landlords and employees, to receive repayment.
Those creditors are owed £10.6m ($14.2m).
The report added that Modella, which is owed £5.5m in secured debt, is expected to recover at least some of that amount.
Separately, Modella is also working on a restructuring of TG Jones, the former WH Smith business, with as many as 100 of its 456 stores facing possible closure via a proposed “cram down” insolvency process.
That restructuring could begin before the previously agreed deadline in late June, amid concerns about the company’s financial health.
The closure of Claire’s remaining UK stores is the latest retail setback involving businesses linked to Modella, following developments at The Original Factory Shop and Hobbycraft.
