Claire’s enters administration as high street struggles continue
High street accessories retailer Claire’s has collapsed into administration for the second time in six months, leaving the future of its stores in Telford and across the country uncertain.
Insolvency practitioners from Kroll were formally appointed as joint administrators on Monday, 26 January 2026. The move follows a difficult trading period over Christmas which saw a drop in shoppers visiting physical stores.
The business is currently owned by Modella Capital, a private equity firm that also controls The Original Factory Shop and the rebranded high street arm of WHSmith, known as TG Jones. Modella purchased the chain in September last year after a previous insolvency process.
A spokesperson for Modella Capital said that they had worked intensively in an effort to save the business, but it did not have a realistic possibility of trading profitably again. They described the climate on the high street as extremely challenging.
More than 1,000 jobs are now at risk across 156 remaining stores in the UK and Ireland. Administrators confirmed the company is continuing to trade for now while they look for a new buyer to take over the operations.
Retail experts have suggested that a combination of rising tax burdens and competition from online platforms like TikTok Shop and Temu contributed to the financial difficulties.
