Local & Independent Retail

Wynsors World of Shoes is closing 17 of its 47 stores across the north of England and the Midlands, with closing-down discounts now up to 60%. The exits follow a June CVA under owner Modella Capital that put around 100 of 400 jobs at risk.

The Association of Convenience Stores counts 50,925 local shops, £957m of investment and a business rates bill that has nearly doubled in two years. Its Cost of Trading campaign takes the numbers to Parliament seven weeks before the 28 October Budget.

Sayers the Bakers and Poundbakery have closed more than 30 shops across the North West, North Wales, Yorkshire and the Midlands, far beyond the 19 announced in August. Former staff say a refused CVA means their final wages now depend on the government Redundancy Payments Service.

Three in 10 small high street businesses considered closing in the past year, according to an Enterprise Nation survey of 526 UK firms with Square and EDF. VAT tops the cost list ahead of wages, and the report sets out a shopping list for the 28 October Budget.

The government has confirmed that English mayors can charge a percentage-based Overnight Visitor Levy on hotel and short-let stays, with no statutory cap and first charges expected by 2029. Independent retailers’ body Bira warns the money must be spent on the high streets that serve visitors or the levy will drain local spending.

B&M will shut its 20,000 sq ft County Road store in Walton, Liverpool, on 6 November 2026, with staff redeployed to nearby branches. The closure hits a parade already reeling from Everton’s move away from Goodison Park.

TG Jones is closing 19 shops during September 2026 under a court sanctioned restructuring plan, with 16 of them still to shut between the 12th and the 30th. In most of those towns the Post Office counter inside the shop goes with it.