• Read the latest list of high street stores to close across the UK, including M&S

High street shops have closed in large numbers since the start of 2023, with a number of major brands closing branches across the UK.

Brands such as Marks and Spencer and Clintons have closed a number of stores, while fashion retailer M&Co has announced it will leave the high street permanently after entering administration.

Following the pandemic, high street footfall has plummeted, leaving UK high streets struggling to stay afloat.

So which high street shops closed in April 2023? How many branches of Marks and Spencer, M&Co and Clinton have closed?

Read below for everything you need to know about which stores are closing and when.

Which street shops closed in April 2023?

The country’s shopping streets have taken a beating in recent months in a battle to recover from reduced visits during the pandemic.

M&Co will remove eight of its sites in Cheshire, Kent, Surrey, Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Scotland on Saturday April 15, 2023.

Brands have had to deal with soaring energy bills, adding to the financial pressure on struggling businesses, while customers also affected by the cost of living crisis try to cut spending.

As well as retailers closing stores, food and drink chains have also taken a hammer blow, with Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s announcing closures.

With shoppers hit by soaring costs, many are now spending less money on non-essential items to lower their weekly bills.

The growing popularity of online shopping and delivery has also led to a drop in footfall on UK high streets, putting even more pressure on retailers.

How many Marks and Spencer stores have closed?

Marks and Spencer has been hit hard by the cost of living crisis and reduced numbers on high streets, having already closed several branches in 2023.

The upscale chain will also close two of its locations on Saturday April 15, 2023. This will see stores in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough and Deansgate, Bolton close their shutters for the final time.

Despite the closures, M&S plans to open 104 new grocery stores, according to The Sun.

These will see 20 new M&S grocery stores open across the UK in 2023, including in Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester.

How many Clinton branches have closed?

Card retailer Clintons has already closed two stores in April 2023, closing branches in Chatham, Kent, and the Scottish town of Kirkcaldy.

The brand also closed a number of its stores last year, in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, Dorchester, Dorset and Ayr in Scotland.

It is believed that Clintons will now close other branches across the country before the end of the month, according to the Express.

Has M&Co closed?

In February, fashion giant M&Co announced it would close its 170 stores, putting 1,910 jobs at risk.

A spokesperson for Teneo, who was appointed as a company director, had previously confirmed the sale of the M&Co brand and intellectual property to Yours Clothing but not the stores.

A notice on M&CO’s website, which is currently not operational, reads: “M&Co online no longer trades. AK Retail has acquired the M&Co brand, with the intention of relaunching the web platform in the coming months.

“Some of our stores will remain open for a limited time, AT LEAST 50% OFF. To check if your nearest store is still open, visit the M&Co store locator.

‘If you recently ordered from mandco.com, you can still track your order via the link in your dispatch email. Our customer service team is always available if you have questions about orders, returns or refunds: https://support.mandco.com

“Thank you to all our customers from the entire M&Co team.”