Gone are the days of a UK high street filled to the brim with bustling and popular shops or eateries.

Today, the climate is a stark contrast to what it once was with closing down signs scattered throughout.

In fact, the Centre for Retail Research shared its grim predictions for the UK’s retail future revealing that 17,349 shops will close this year.

A sharp increase from the 13,479 closures recorded last year with reasons being higher costs of renting and reduced footfall being cited as the most common closure reasons.

Other factors leading to such high numbers of retail closures is due to the higher National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the soon increasing of the national minimum wage which will take effect in April. 

Here Express.co.uk takes a look at the full list of UK shops set to close this month.. 

WHSmith

WHSmith will be closing a total four high-street shops in February as per the company’s wide strategy to shift focus towards travel hubs.

The four stores set to close in February include:

• Basingstoke, Hampshire – February 1
• Winton, Bournemouth – February 15
• Rhyl, Denbighshire – February 15
• Bolton, Greater Manchester – February 15

Sainsbury’s

The leading UK supermarket chain is set to close its branch on Stamford Hill, London on Saturday February 1.

“Earlier this year, we shared the difficult news with colleagues at our Stamford Hill supermarket that the landlord intends to redevelop the site,” said a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s.

“The store will remain open and our colleagues will continue to serve the local community as usual between now and February 1, when our lease expires.”

Iceland

The UK’s frozen food retailer will be closing one store in February and includes its 53 Bellegrove, Welling branch in London, set to close February 1.

Iceland’s reasons for shutting this branch have not been disclosed yet, however, it did previously reveal that many of its staff have been offered jobs in other stores.

Farmfoods

Farmfoods is set to close its store located in Calthorpe Centre in Banbury on Sunday, February 2. 

No reason for this closure has been given, however, the chain is looking to open a new site in the Oxfordshire area but no confirmation has been given as of writing.

“I confirm our shop at the Calthorpe Centre, Banbury will permanently close on February 2 following a 50% sale,” said a spokesperson for Farmfoods in a statement.

“We’re grateful to all customers who have shopped with us during our time trading from the property and hope to open a new shop elsewhere in the town in the future, but details are not confirmed at this stage.”

The Entertainer

The Entertainer is set to close its branch in Whitgift Centre in Croydon, London on Saturday, February 1. 

The reason for its closure is reportedly due to the landlord’s plans to repurpose the space for the proposed redevelopment of the Whitgift Shopping Centre as part of the Croydon regeneration project.

Paul Hardy, Head of Region at The Entertainer, said: “We are sad to be closing our Croydon store as a requirement of the landlord for the proposed redevelopment of the Whitgift Shopping Centre. We would like to thank our customers and staff for their loyalty and support.”

Hollister

The US clothing brand that’s owned by Abercrombie & Fitch announced its branch on Union Square, Aberdeen, is set to close in February with its exact date not yet confirmed.

“We can confirm we will be closing our Union Square Hollister store at the end of February,” read the statement provided to the Press and Journal, from Abercrombie & Fitch.

It added: “We believe stores matter and we are exploring new store opportunities in the UK, including in Aberdeen, to provide a great shopping experience for our customers.”