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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chiara Fiorillo

Ten once-popular brands that disappeared from the High Street over the past decade

The last decade has proved difficult for the UK retail industry, which has seen many brands going into administration.

In some cases, once-popular names have disappeared completely from the British high street.

Here are some of the biggest brands we have lost over the past 10 years.

Toys R Us

The international toy giant, founded in April 1948, closed all its US and UK stores in 2018, after filing for bankruptcy protection in September 2017.

When the company went into administration, 3,000 jobs were lost.

Its Asian shops are still open, having been sold to Fung Retailing and other lenders in November 2018.

Borders

Borders collapsed in the UK in June 2009 (PA)

The bookshop chain collapsed in the UK in June 2009.

Its US business did the same two years later, filing for bankruptcy, the BBC reports.

The firm blamed declining sales and competition from supermarkets, online sales and digital books.

BHS

British Home Stores shop with closing down signs (PA)

UK department store chain British Home Stores closed down in June 2016, after efforts to secure a rescue deal over two months failed.

The retailer had been struggling with debts of more than £1.3bn, including a pensions deficit of £571m.

Staples

Staples disappeared from the High Street in 2016 (Evening Gazette)

The stationery store chain disappeared from the High Street in 2016 after the UK part of its business was sold to restructuring firm Hilco.

The company had placed its European business under review in May 2016 after it was forced to abandon a $6.3bn merger with fellow US office supply giant Office Depot on competition grounds.

Blockbuster

Blockbuster had more than 9,000 stores around the world (Birmingham Mail)

The once-popular video rental chain had more than 9,000 stores around the world.

Its corporate-owned UK and US stores went bust in 2013, while privately-owned franchises continued to struggle on.

The only store that remains open in the world today can be found in Bend, Oregon.

Blockbuster was one of several big names to have been affected by online competition.

Maplin

Maplin collapsed into administration in February 2018 (Ian Cooper / Teesside Live)

Maplin was one of the UK's biggest electronics retailers, with 200 stores and 2,300 staff.

It collapsed into administration in February 2018 and its last branch shut in June 2018.

Tie Rack

Tie Rack collapsed in November 2013 (ExpressStar)

International accessories chain Tie Rack was once so popular that there was a store in every High Street, station and airport.

The retailer, founded in 1981, collapsed in November 2013.

Poundworld

Poundworld closed down in August 2018 (PH)

The discount goods retailer, founded in 1974, struggled with competition from rivals such as Poundland and Poundstretcher.

It fell into administration in June 2018, putting more than 5,100 jobs at risk and closed down in August 2018.

Barratts

Barratts went into administration three times (REUTERS)

The shoe manufacturer and shop was founded in Northampton in 1903.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, it was hit by heavy competition from cheaper foreign imported shoes.

It went into administration three times, and during the last time in November 2013, 61 of its remaining 75 stores closed.

Barratts now exists almost exclusively as an online retail brand.

Phones4U

Phones4U closed down in September 2014 (PA)

The mobile phones retailer shut down in September 2014, having more than £200m in debt.

It collapsed when it lost vital deals with EE and Vodafone, on which it relied to sell its services.

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