High streets across the UK have bid farewell to many cherished shops in the first month of 2025, and February will bring a fresh wave of store closures.

New Look is the latest retailer to shutter brick-and-mortar outlets as it grapples with soaring costs and shifting consumer habits.

The well-known fashion brand has confirmed the closure of a popular town centre branch in Wales this month.

Located on Hannah Street in Porth, the branch is expected to cease trading on February 22.

This announcement follows shortly after reports that the fashion retailer is speeding up plans to shut down around 100 stores due to pressures from recent Autumn Budget tax changes.

A spokesperson for New Look stated: "Our store in Porth is set to close on February 22. We thank our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.

"We hope customers continue to shop with us online at newlook.com, where our full product ranges can be found."

The impending closure marks just a small dent in the 17,349 store closures the Centre for Retail Research predicted this year, up from 13,479 that closed in 2024.

New Look is intensifying its store closure efforts with the upcoming National Insurance hike in April. When leases come up for renewal, around a quarter of the fashion retailer’s 364 stores – about 91 stores – could be affected.

The closures are expected to impact a workforce of around 8,000 people; previously, the company reduced its store portfolio twice within six years. 

A representative for New Look urged that it’s not all bad news despite mass closures. They said: "Our store estate is an important part of our business, alongside our best-in-class website and app.

"We have recently invested over £3million in our stores in Greater Manchester to trial new omni-channel initiatives to improve customer experience. We also continue to invest in our thriving online platform which has resulted in a strong online sales performance, with volumes significantly outpacing last year and an improved online margin."

The spokesperson noted: "On occasion we do have to close stores, either due to the landlord’s request or because the site becomes unviable. However, we always remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country and continue to invest in our existing store estate."

As for shoppers in the Porth town centre, many have shared their disappointment with locals on social media. One customer lamented on Facebook: "So sad! The staff have worked so hard to keep this shop open. They have been a credit to New Look."

Another commented: "May as well knock Porth down. There'll be no shops left." A third said: "Every town centre is the same. It's sad but if most people shop online or out of town the only people to blame are us as customers for not using the shops enough."

Select Fashion is also expected to close a dozen branches over the coming weeks, with most shops impacted in the North East of England.

It comes after the British fashion brand - owned by Turkish entrepreneur Cafer Mahiroğlu - fell into administration in 2019. At the time, the retailer blamed tough conditions on the high street and was later bought out of administration by Genus UK Limited.

The fashion brand, a long-standing competitor of New Look, has closed several sites this year, including those in Wolverhampton and Kidderminster, which shut at the start of January.

Select's Merthyr Tydfil store in Wales will close on March 15, along with the Wellingborough store.

Select stores shutting down

• Chippenham, Wiltshire
• Merthyr Tydfil
• Wellingborough
• South Shields
• Peterlee
• Thornaby
• Hartlepool
• Scarborough
• Hull Hessle
• Hull St Stephens
• Ashington
• Scunthorpe