River Island store in Devon named on list of UK closures

The River Island store in Barnstaple has been listed among dozens of locations across the UK set to close as part of a major restructure of the fashion retailer.

According to Time Out, River Island plans to shut 32 stores before the end of January 2026 as it responds to changing shopping habits and rising operational costs.

The retailer currently operates around 230 stores across the UK and Ireland and employs approximately 5,500 people.

Time Out reports that the Barnstaple branch is included in a list of stores confirmed to close, which was published this week.

The publication said the company has blamed the closures on the continued shift towards online shopping, alongside increasing costs associated with running physical stores.

Commenting on the wider restructure, River Island chief executive Ben Lewis said the changes form part of a long-term transformation strategy for the business.

He said: “We have a clear transformation strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the business, and this decision gives us a strong platform to deliver this.

“Recent improvements in our fashion offer and shopping experience are starting to show results, and the restructuring plan will enable us to align our store estate to our customers’ needs.”

The full list of reported closures includes stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Other locations named include Taunton, Brighton, Oxford, Norwich and Gloucester.

Individual store closing dates in Barnstaple, along with any potential impact on staff, have not been publicly confirmed.