The UK high street faces another significant loss as popular outdoor clothing chain Trespass announces the impending closure of its Southampton city centre branch.
Final Countdown for Southampton Store
Trespass will formally shut its Southampton doors on March 9, 2026, ending over a decade of operation in the city. The branch has already displayed prominent 'closing down' signs, urging shoppers that 'everything must go' in the lead-up to its final day.
The retailer, known for its wide range of high-quality outdoor gear and waterproof clothing for men, women, and children, currently operates over 300 branches globally, with a strong presence in the UK including multiple locations in Birmingham.
A Wider Trend of High Street Closures
This is not an isolated incident for the outdoor specialist. The Trespass store in the Watford Harlequin shopping centre closed its doors on October 31, followed shortly by the shutdown of the Ipswich Westgate Street location on October 18.
The retail sector's challenges extend beyond Trespass. Budget footwear chain Shoe Zone is also axing a fan-favourite store in Rhyl, Wales, where 'closing down' signs have appeared. Over the past year, Shoe Zone has shut shops in locations including Boscombe, Bournemouth, and Burgess Hill.
Economic Pressures on Retail
The closures reflect a broader struggle on the British high street. Shoe Zone's financial reports reveal a 7.6% drop in revenue to £149.1 million, which the company's chairman, Charles Smith, attributed to a 'challenging year'.
Smith cited falling consumer confidence following the Government’s October 2024 budget, combined with high inflation and interest rate increases, as key factors forcing shoppers to tighten their spending.
With stores in Watford, Stoke-on-Trent, and Inverness also meeting their demise in 2024, the landscape of UK retail continues to evolve under significant economic pressure.
