{
  "id": 12906884,
  "title": "Harvey Nichols’ Birmingham store to close in January",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/harvey-nichols-birmingham-store-to-close-in-january",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-08T16:28:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/08/harvey-nichols-birmingham-store-closure-frasers-group-mike-ashley"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Harvey Nichols is set to close its Birmingham store in January, resulting in the loss of at least 60 jobs, according to the latest update from Mike Ashley's Frasers Group. The department store chain, originally purchased for £43 million in August, is undergoing a rebranding process that will convert the Leeds and Bristol stores into the Flannels brand. The Manchester, Edinburgh, and London Harvey Nichols stores remain uncertain for their future. Administrator's earlier informed the Birmingham staff about the closure, which will take place after 25 years of operation. The Flannels chain, also part of Frasers Group, has been a recent addition to the luxury fashion portfolio of the group which also includes House of Fraser and Mulberry. Despite the closure, Frasers Group continues to invest in the luxury market, with Ashley recently raising his stake in the German label Hugo Boss to 48%.",
  "summary": "Store closure will cost at least 60 jobs, while Leeds and Bristol outlets to be converted to Flannels brand Harvey Nichols’ Birmingham store is to close in January, with the loss of at least 60 jobs, while its Leeds and Bristol outlets will be converted to the Flannels brand in a shake-up under Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group. The owner of Sports Direct bought the department store chain , which is…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business of Fashion",
        "title": "Harvey Nichols’ Birmingham Store Will Close in January",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/harvey-nichols-birmingham-store-will-close-in-january",
        "published": "2026-10-08T20:29:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}