HOUSE of Fraser is permanently closing a massive store today – after more than 76 years.
The retailer originally opened its flagship site in the 1960s.
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The flagship site is shutting today Credit: Alamy
This marks another closure for the iconic brand Credit: Alamy
House of Fraser in Birmingham city centre is set to shut today (June 25), marking an end to one of the city’s largest retail landmarks.
The 465,000 sq ft site featured “closing down” signs on its storefront, with clearance sales of up to 50 per cent off the majority of items.
The store had been winding down operations over the past few weeks, leaving only its middle and ground floors functioning.
House of Fraser was bought out of administration by Sports Direct in 2018, following financial difficulties and economic losses.
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However in 2023, Frasers Group CEO, Michael Murray, confirmed all remaining House of Fraser stores would convert to Frasers or would be closed.
The Corporation Street site originally opened in stages between 1960 and 1966 under the Rackhams name, and became noted as an iconic landmark of the city centre.
In 2003, the site was renamed to House of Fraser, where it remained until present day.
At its peak, the brand operated more than 112 department stores across the UK.
Now, only around 12 standalone stores remain, with a combined total of around 20 Frasers sites.
This also marks another blow for traditional department stores in Birmingham, after the closures of John Lewis and Debenhams.
