British shoe retailer Russell & Bromley has recently shut down 33 of its stores. The closure of the remaining 33 stores and nine concessions not taken over by Next has been finalized, with the last closure occurring on April 23 following the initial announcement of ten closures on April 21.
Before the closures, Russell & Bromley had a workforce of 320 employees, with administrators confirming redundancies. The total number of employees affected by the closures is yet to be disclosed by Interpath, the administrators.
The administrators stated, “All stores that did not transition to Next have ceased operations by April 23, 2026. Unfortunately, this resulted in the majority of employees at these non-transferring stores being made redundant.”
Following Next’s acquisition of Russell & Bromley in a £2.5m pre-pack administration deal on January 21, the sale included the brand, intellectual property, and three stores in Chelsea, Mayfair, and Bluewater shopping center in Kent.
Established in 1880 by George Bromley and Elizabeth Russell in Eastbourne, Russell & Bromley, previously employing over 450 individuals and led by Andrew Bromley, went into administration prior to the acquisition.
Next expressed its commitment to preserving the brand’s legacy and enhancing operational stability for Russell & Bromley. Andrew Bromley, CEO of Russell & Bromley, acknowledged the sale as a strategic decision to ensure the brand’s future, appreciating the support of staff, suppliers, partners, and customers throughout the brand’s history.