Luxury Footwear Brand Russell & Bromley Enters Administration

The luxury footwear brand Russell & Bromley, known for its high-end shoes and handbags, has entered administration, leading to the closure of its Cheltenham store on the Promenade. After more than 150 years in operation, the brand currently manages 36 locations and nine concessions across the UK and Ireland. The Cheltenham branch, the sole store in Gloucestershire, has started a liquidation sale, displaying a banner declaring that “Everything must go” with discounts of up to 20% on all stock.

The closure comes after Russell & Bromley was acquired by Next Plc in a £2.5 million transaction last week. This acquisition followed the company’s announcement on January 21, 2026, that it had fallen into administration. According to a notice on the brand’s website, administration was overseen by Will Wright and Chris Pole of Interpath Advisory, who were appointed to manage the affairs of Russell & Bromley Limited, Russell & Bromley Online Limited, and Farwig Limited.

As part of the restructuring, only three Russell & Bromley stores will remain operational. These include two locations in London—Chelsea and Mayfair—and one in the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent. The remaining 33 stores and all nine concessions face potential closure, putting approximately 440 jobs at risk.

Just a few hundred metres from the Russell & Bromley store, the iconic Cavendish House is also set to close its doors this week after over 200 years of trading. Local traders expressed their sadness regarding the loss of this landmark retail space.

Despite these closures, there are signs of new beginnings in Cheltenham. Last week, menswear brand Cavani opened a new store in the Regent Arcade shopping centre following its rebranding from House of Cavani. This new location marks Cavani’s 18th outlet in the UK and its second in the South West, creating seven new jobs in the area. The opening was celebrated by Chris Hughes, a former contestant from the reality show Love Island, who serves as an ambassador for the brand.

Matthew Ward, the manager of the new Cheltenham store, expressed enthusiasm about the opening, stating, “This store represents everything Cavani stands for—exceptional product quality delivered through outstanding customer service. We’re looking forward to helping customers discover pieces that genuinely work for them, often introducing them to styles they hadn’t considered.”

As the retail landscape in Cheltenham undergoes significant changes, the closure of established brands like Russell & Bromley and Cavendish House highlights the challenges facing traditional retail in the face of evolving consumer preferences and economic pressures.