As retailer Wilko is the latest high street shop to be hit by woes, we take a look at stores that have left the High Streets of Birmingham. When remembering Birmingham’s past, the popular stores and retailers of yesteryears are one of the city’s most significant assets. They defined the fashion of the era and helped young people showing off their style.
Some of the shops that we’ve lost have long histories, with some dating back to the 19th century - but years of service doesn’t count for survival on the high street these days.
While others that went big in the 20th century, ended up going bust in the 21st. With the cost of living destabilising people’s shopping habits in recent times.
Hopefully, the financial landscape recovers soon and the health of the High Street replenishes to its former glory. With Marks and Spencer leaving Birmingham High Street for the Bullring and Bershka and Pull&Bear on their way - there’s lot to remain optimistic about
Meanwhile House of Fraser is closing its shop in Solihull this August Bank Holiday Weekend while its Birmingham store has been turned into an outlet store and Wilko facing woes, alas, we are still amids tough times. But shops are great - so we asked our readers to tell us about the ones they missed most. Here are 13 High Street stores that left many remembering the good old days:

1. Debenhams
Debenhams - which was located in Bullring - closed its doors after going into administration in 2021. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

2. Rackhams
Rackhams was a British department store that opened in Birmingham, England in 1881. It became part of Harrods group in 1955, which later got bought out by House of Fraser in 1959. It was located on Corporation Street. (Photo - CC BY-SA 2.0/Steve Cadman) | CC BY-SA 2.0/Steve Cadman

3. Woolworths
Woolworths - which was located in the Pallasades next to the Ramp on New Street - but the whole company closed down in 2009. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) | Getty Images

4. Paperchase
All Paperchase stores closed earlier this year, across the country, including in Grand Central. It was taken over by Tesco. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) | Getty Images