Claire’s Accessories has shuttered its New Street store in Birmingham, with the Bullring branch anticipated to close soon. The retailer—long a fixture on Britain’s high streets—has been steadily disappearing following its second administration in less than a year, the most recent occurring in January.
The New Street store now stands vacant, marking the end of an era for the busy shopping thoroughfare. When BirminghamLive visited the Bullring branch on April 16, staff confirmed no official closing date had yet been announced but highlighted an ongoing stock clearance sale signaling the store’s impending closure.
Founded in Chicago in 1961, Claire’s maintains its UK head office in Erdington and has operated multiple locations across the region, including Sutton Coldfield and Merry Hill. In September 2025, Modella Capital acquired 156 Claire’s branches in an effort to revive the business and safeguard jobs.
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Notably, Claire’s has been a part of Birmingham’s Bullring shopping center since it opened 23 years ago, even relocating within the centre in summer 2025 with a farewell message displayed at its former unit: “like we’d ever leave you.”
Elsewhere in Birmingham retail news, staff at Argos’ last standalone store have been warned of a potential closure due to planned demolition of the building by April 2027. While no final decisions have been made, the company is exploring relocation options.
Meanwhile, New Street itself is undergoing a significant transformation as part of a major public realm refresh outside the old Claire’s site, signaling change for Birmingham’s retail landscape.