Big brands that have closed in Inverness over the years
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Here we take a look at some big name brands that have disappeared from Inverness over the years...
OUTFIT
The national fashion chain store which brought together brands like Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Topman and Burton, closed it's store at Inverness Shopping Park permanently at the end of 2020 after entering administration on November 30.
Maplin
Maplin was one of the UK's biggest electronic retailers with 200 stores, including a store at the Eastfield Way Retail Park in Inverness. In February 2018 it entered into administration and after failing to secure a sale with the last remaining branch shut in June 2018.
Debenhams
The retailer, which had a branch in the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness, announced in February 2021 that it would not be reopening its Scottish stores and all employees would be made redundant.
Zara
Popular fashion chain Zara closed its store in the Eastgate Shopping Centre back in January 2011. The international chain still has stores all across the world.
Thomas Cook
The 178-year old travel chain Thomas Cook colapsed in 2019. Fellow travel firm Hays Travel stepped in to take over all 555 Thomas Cook retail stores in the UK, including the Inverness branch on Inglis Street.
USC
Part of the Sports Direct group, USC specialises in branded clothing, footwear and accessories. The firm had been bought out of administration three times since 2008 and closed its store in the Eastgate Shopping Centre in early 2019.
Early Learning Centre
A familiar fixture in the Eastgate Shopping Centre before it closed in September 2014.
Laura Ashley
The Laura Ashley branch in the Highland capital's Falcon Square closed down in Summer 2020 after the business went into administration. Laura Ashley began in the 1950s, quickly becoming famous for its unique printed fabrics. Over time, the brand grew to become a household, associated with quality fashion, interiors and home furnishings.
Homebase
Homebase is a home improvement retailer and garden centre with a presence across the UK and Ireland. 42 stores were announced for closure between late 2018 and early 2019, with Inverness on that list.
Monsoon
Women's clothing store closed in 2018. Accessorize – formerly part of the store – remains open in a new location in the Eastgate Shopping Centre.
La Senza
Lingerie store La Senza, once situated in the Eastgate Shopping Centre, was one of 81 outlets that shut down in 2012 after going into administration.
Borders
The Borders bookshop chain, which offered a café and a comfortable browsing experience for books, music and movies collapsed in June 2009. The firm blamed declining sales and a rapidly changing book market, struggling in the face of fierce competition from supermarkets, online sales and digital books.
Mothercare
The Inverness branch of Mothercare at the Eastfield Way Retail Park closed its doors in 2019. After a turbulent year, the chain closed the last of its stores in January 2020.
Mamas and Papas
UK-based baby and nursery brand closed its Eastgate Shopping Centre store in January 2015 after unsuccessful negotiations to agree terms on a new lease in the centre.
Woolworths
Affectionately known as Woolies, the retail chain entered administration in late 2008 and closed the last of it stores in January 2009. It had been a permanent fixture on Inverness High Street since opening in 1926.
