The high street’s new era of rescues and reinventions

Millennials and beyond will remember a very different high street to the one that exists today. A branch of Woolworths generally dominated the centre of any small town or city along with a scattering of stores like Topshop, Thorntons and The Body Shop. Some have stood the test of time all by themselves through continuous pivots, new senior hires, clever celebrity ambassadorships and marketing campaigns; I’m looking at you Marks & Spencer with your Sienna Millers and your Mark (Wright) and Spencer (Matthews). But some have needed rescuing to stay alive.  

Last month it was announced that TGI Fridays – the American-style diner which first came to the UK from New York in 1986 – was going into administration following a 'very challenging set of circumstances'. However, once again, one of the big players has saved the day and with it, 35 branches and 2,400 jobs.

Over the last 24 hours it was announced that a life-saving deal was being finalised with Breal and Calverton, a private equity partnership who last year acquired D&D London (which owns Le Pont de la Tour and Coq d'Argent) and between them, have also saved Byron Burger and wine bar chain Vinoteca.

And the move comes as yet another addition to the long list of (relatively) small brands going into administration one month only to be salvaged the next by brands who are unafraid to move with the times and more importantly, know how to do it. ASOS rescued Topshop. The Range rescued Wilkinsons. Bioren rescued Planet Organic and so on. Which leads us to ask the question, who will be next?