One of Britain's oldest department stores to close for good after 140 years

One of Britain’s oldest department stores to close for good after 140 years

Posted by author February 12, 2025 Shopping

The Beales branch in Poole is the last remaining one and will close its doors at the end of May (Picture: BournemouthEcho/BNPS)

The last remaining Beales shop in the UK is set to close its doors for good at the end of May.

The branch, located in the Dolphin Centre shopping mall in Poole, Dorset, will close because of budget tax and wage increases.

Its chief executive Tony Brown said: ‘This, coupled with the risks and uncertainty of further tax increases in the coming years, have left us no other option.

‘We have been working with the Dolphin Centre, who have been supportive, along with our investors to ensure an orderly exit.

‘Our team has been informed, as have our suppliers. We will ensure the exit is managed and no one will be left with a financial loss.’

The news comes as the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) warns other shops could follow a similar pattern.

It warned that the rise in national insurance contributions and the higher minimum wage will impact other businesses.

Its commercial director Jeff Moody said: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of Beales’ closure.

General view of Beale's department stores in Southport, Liverpool. The department store has been put up for sale as the chain decides whether to call in administrators. — The second to last branch to close was the store in Southport, Liverpool (Picture: PA)

Iconic stores that have vanished from the high street

Beales is just one of a number of recognisable high street stores that have closed.

The iconic department store Jolly’s closed down in Bath after 200 years in December 2024.

Other smaller department stores like Morleys Tooting released a statement on social media in January 2025, announcing it will be closing more than 100 years after it first appeared on the high street in the early 1900s.

This is also the case for a London based family-run food store, Partridges, which closed its Chelsea store on February 2.

In 2024, recognisable high street chains like Ted Baker, Homebase and Carpetright closed down due to insolvency proceedings, while others like Boots and Shoe Zone cut their shop numbers as a money-saving measure.

This year, other well-known retailer giants like Homebase, WHSmith, Sainsbury’s, Iceland, Farmfoods, The Entertainer, Hollister and New Look will all close some of their stores.

But other hospitality venues are also fighting for survival like The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square, while Ye Olde Swiss Cottage closed down at the start of this month.

‘This is not just the loss of another shop – it represents the end of a retail institution that has served communities for nearly one-and-a-half centuries.

‘This closure starkly illustrates the devastating impact that recent tax increases are having on our retail sector.’

Beales has been a staple on the British high street since 1881 and opened its first branch in Bournemouth.

Younger shoppers have also shifted more towards online shopping, which impacts shops like Beales which rely a lot on high street footfall.

22 of its 23 stores closed in January 2020 when Beales went into administration.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Porch pirate shamed into moving house after stealing 16 parcels from neighbours

MORE: Why the Jurassic Coast should be top of your UK travel list in 2025