High street fashion chain River Islands to close 33 stores 'in weeks'

High Street fashion brand River Island will close 33 stores across the UK within the next six weeks - including six in Scotland. The under-pressure retailer has said it will pay reduced rent on 71 stores as part of a restructuring plan that aims to prevent the firm from going into administration.

The drastic overhaul will see 33 of over 200 stores closing their doors in the first month of the new year, alongside rent reductions for 71 stores and a considerable amount of debt being written off. But for River Island fans, there will still be 122 stores, which will not be affected by the restructuring.

It has requested landlords to cut its rent for three years and potentially stop payments on some units to try and curb its losses. The plan was approved in August of this year by a High Court