Store closures update: Russell & Bromley returns to high street after shutting down shops
A beloved British fashion brand is staging a return to physical retail, offering a rare bright spot on a high street that has endured a punishing period of closures.
Russell & Bromley, the heritage footwear label with a 150-year history, is preparing to welcome customers once again at Oxford's Westgate shopping centre on September 3, following its rescue by Next earlier this year.
The storied shoe retailer had been battling declining footfall, escalating operational costs and a challenging market for some time before it fell into administration.
By the point administrators were called in, the company had accumulated debts of approximately £59.3million, having also racked up losses totalling £20million across the preceding two years.
Next stepped in with a multimillion-pound rescue package in January 2026, though all 33 of the brand's shops were forced to shut as part of the deal.
Its final remaining outlet, situated in Edinburgh, did not close its doors until July this year.
Clare Martin, centre director at Westgate Oxford, said: "The return of Russell & Bromley is brilliant news, and we're delighted that Westgate Oxford has been chosen as one of the first locations for reopening."
She added: "Russell & Bromley has always been a popular brand among our guests and it's a great part of our retail mix. We look forward to seeing the store reopen later this year."
Meanwhile, Karen Millen, the fashion label famously worn by the Princess of Wales, is reopening its doors to shoppers today after an absence of nearly seven years from bricks-and-mortar retail.
Karen Millen's physical retail presence vanished after Boohoo snapped up the brand following its collapse in 2019, making today's reopening a notable milestone.
Claire's Accessories entered administration earlier this year, resulting in the shuttering of all 154 standalone locations in April.
The luxury sleepwear brand Peter Alexander has also confirmed it will close every one of its UK shops, pointing to tough trading conditions as the driving factor behind the decision.
Here is a full list of the Russell & Bromley stores that closed after filing for administration– Bath, Somerset