On 13 August, the UK and Ireland arm of Claire’s fell into administration, putting more than 2,150 jobs and over 300 store locations at risk. Now, private equity firm Modella Capital has stepped in to acquire 156 UK stores and safeguard roughly 1,000 jobs.
Planning a night out? See the live What’s On in Blackburn calendar.
While the names and locations of the saved stores have not yet been made public, the Blackburn town centre store – located in The Mall – is not currently confirmed as one of those covered by the deal.
That means its long-term future remains in the balance as administrators at Interpath continue to assess the fate of the remaining 145 stores, which are still trading under uncertainty.
📉 National Collapse, Local Impact
Claire’s has been a familiar fixture on the UK high street for decades, particularly beloved by younger shoppers for its jewellery, hair accessories and ear piercing services. In Blackburn, the store has served generations of families and remains a go-to destination for birthday gifts and fashion must-haves.
But the brand has faced mounting pressures in recent years, including the cost-of-living crisis, rising operating costs and growing competition from online retailers.
As news of the administration broke in August, hopes rested on a sale – which has now materialised, albeit partially.
🛍️ “Not Out of the Woods Yet”
A spokesperson for Interpath, the firm leading the administration process, confirmed:
“Our intention is to continue to trade the remaining portfolio of stores for as long as we can, while we explore the options available.”
Modella Capital managing director Joe Price acknowledged the uphill task ahead, saying:
“We strongly believe this much-loved brand deserves the chance to remain on the High Street in the UK and Ireland. But there are significant issues to work through and we’ll need collaboration from all parties to make the rescue a success.”
🔍 What Happens Next?
Claire’s stores not included in the initial rescue package – including potentially the Blackburn store – will remain open for now. Administrators are actively seeking buyers or exploring restructuring options.
Staff at the Blackburn branch are understood to still be in place, with the store continuing to trade as normal at the time of publication.
