New Look Closes Harrow Store Amid Ongoing High Street Challenges

New Look is set to close its branch in Harrow Town Centre on September 17, marking a significant loss for the local high street. After over 20 years of service, the store located on Station Road is launching a closing-down sale, with discounts of up to 70% on various items. The store’s window displays a farewell message to the community: “Thanks for having us, Harrow. This store will be closing on Wednesday 17th September. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to find us at newlook.com with hundreds of new styles dropping every week!”

The closure has prompted mixed reactions from the community. One local expressed frustration on social media, stating, “There won’t be any store on the high street now. One after another, stores are closing down. I am not the online shopping person.” Another resident commented, “This is terrible. The rents and rates are too high. We are decimating our local high streets just to make everyone shop online.”

This Harrow closure is part of a broader restructuring strategy within New Look’s retail operations. The brand has already shut several locations this year, with at least 14 more stores anticipated to close in the coming months. Another branch in Scarborough is also scheduled to close on the same day as the Harrow location.

In light of these changes, New Look’s ownership group, which includes investment firms Alcentra and Brait, is reportedly considering a potential sale of the business. They have been in control since 2020 and are collaborating with advisers at Rothschild to explore strategic options for the retailer’s future, as reported by Sky News.

Despite the ongoing closures, New Look maintains that it is on a path of long-term growth. A spokesperson for the company emphasized, “Management are focused on running the business and executing the strategy for long-term growth.” They added that the company is performing well, buoyed by a successful summer trading period and significant gains in its online market share.

The closure of the Harrow store reflects larger trends impacting retail on the high street, where rising rents and changing shopping habits continue to challenge traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. As consumers shift towards online shopping, many local retailers are struggling to remain viable, leading to a transformation of high street landscapes across the country.