Major retailer Monki to close store in Manchester Arndale

Monki, a popular fashion brand that’s owned by H&M, had announced it’s closing its Manchester store – and soon.

The high street brand is famed for selling bold, playful clothing at affordable prices.

It opened its glittering disco-inspired shop in the heart of the Manchester Arndale in 2018.

Shoppers will recognise the holographic arches at the entrance and the Monki brand name spelled out in lightbulbs overhead.

But this week, H&M confirmed that all seven Monki stores across the UK will close, either shutting them completely or merging them with Weekday, another of the retail giant’s brands.

Manchester is among the first casualties of this move, with signs in the window of the store confirming that a closing down sale will be live until 12 January.

At that point, the Manchester Monki store will close for good.

Also shutting will be Newcastle, with the fate of the five remaining shops – including one in Sheffield – not yet confirmed.

The statement from H&M read: “A limited number of Monki stores are intended to be transformed into multi-brand Weekday destinations, while the others are intended to be closed.

“The newly formed Weekday multi-brand destination will cater to customers’ high aesthetic standards while embracing their multitude of unique expressions.”

In a statement shared earlier this month, they added: “Being mindful about the changes this might entail for our colleagues; we look forward to this exciting new chapter on the way to something great.”

Monki will close in Manchester Arndale on 12 January.

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Featured image: The Manc Group