More store closures for Jack Wills following Sports Direct takeover

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 25, 2019

The eight Jack Wills stores that closed immediately after the brand was bought by Sports Direct in August will be followed by a further five, it has emerged.

It will bring the total number of Jack Wills closures to 13, with more possible losses as Sports Direct continues to talk with landlords about renegotiating its rent deals.

The troubled fashion chain was acquired by Mike Ashley’s retail business for £12.75m in a pre-pack administration deal in August.

The five stores earmarked for closure are predominantly in the South East and North East, in Newcastle, Kent’s Bluewater shopping centre, Winchester in Hampshire, Oxford and London Gatwick Airport. 

A spokesperson for Sports Direct said: “We are continuing to work hard with our landlords to try and keep as many stores in the existing portfolio open. 

“Unfortunately, it has not been possible to save these five stores. Where possible, Sports Direct is committed to finding new roles within the group for all affected Jack Wills staff.”
 
Jack Wills, which made an annual operating loss of £14.2m in the year to end of January 2018, had around 100 stores in the UK when it was acquired by Sports Direct.