Claire's closes ALL 154 stores in UK and Ireland with loss of 1,300 jobs

Fashion accessories retailer Claires has closed its 154 UK and Ireland stores with the loss of around 1,300 jobs, administrators have said. Administrators Kroll said all of the chain's remaining stores have ceased trading and workers have been "notified of redundancy". Concession outlets and its European stores will remain open for now. Kroll said: "As of 27th April, all Claire's standalone stores in UK and Ireland have ceased trading. All store employees have been advised of redundancy. We understand an interested party is in discussion with a number of landlords with a view to taking new leases for some of the sites." Mayfair financiers Modella Capital, which took over WH Smith's high street arm, acquired 156 Claire's stores in the UK and Ireland in September last year. It said at the time: "Although it is inevitable this acquisition will result in some store closures and job losses, this intervention offers the potential to save over 1,000 jobs in the UK and Ireland that would otherwise be lost." Just months later, in January this year, the UK arm collapsed into administration. Modella said previously that tough retail conditions, including those from government policies, were causing British businesses like Claire’s to “suffer badly”. It comes as fears also growing for TJ Jones, which the WH Smith high street business was renamed, amid reports it is gearing up for a make-or-break restructuring that will result in a swathe of store closures. The mass closures does not affect Claire's 356 concessions, including many in Asda stores, and its head office.