Modella acquires 156 Claire’s stores in UK&I rescue deal

Specialist retail investment firm Modella Capital has officially acquired 156 Claire’s stores in the UK and Ireland after the accessories chain entered administration last month.

Claire’s, known for ear piercings and jewellery, went into administration on 13 August 2025 after years of financial difficulties. The UK and Ireland arm is part of a wider international business covering the US and continental Europe, which also remains in the hands of administrators.

Modella has agreed with the administrator to take on the 156 stores, though it has warned that some sites will close and job losses are “unavoidable”. The firm said the deal could preserve more than 1,000 jobs if landlord negotiations allow sufficient stores to remain open.

Employees have been told that final decisions on the future of the sites will be made as soon as possible, once discussions with landlords conclude.

As part of the transaction, Modella has also secured a licence from US-based Ames Watson – which owns Claire’s intellectual property – to operate the brand in the UK and Ireland.

Joe Price, managing director at Modella Capital, said: “As a firm, we strongly believe that this much-loved brand deserves the chance to remain on the High Street in the UK and Ireland. The issues that Claire’s is facing are significant, and we will need to work collaboratively with all interested parties if our proposed rescue plan is to succeed.”

Founded in 1961, Claire’s first opened in the UK in 1974 and became a staple for teenage shoppers, particularly for first jewellery purchases and piercings. Despite its nostalgic presence on high streets, the brand has struggled in recent years against changing consumer habits and rising retail costs.