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  "path": "/money/game-closes-the-last-of-its-high-street-stores",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-19T19:19:09.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Major beauty retailer to open new stores in major UK expansion - full breakdown here",
    "Historic British pottery maker files for administration putting 500 jobs at risk",
    "Primark will shut all its stores across England for over 24 hours next month",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nGAME will close its final three high street stores next month, marking the end of its standalone retail presence in Britain.\n\nThe outlets in Dudley, Lancaster and Sutton are the last remaining branches of a chain that once operated around 300 stores nationwide.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe closures follow the company’s move into administration earlier this year, with administrators appointed in January after a notice of intention was filed.\n\nIt marks the second time in just over a decade that the retailer has entered administration.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nStores in Chatham and Belfast had already shut at the start of 2026.\n\nThe latest closures will bring an end to GAME’s independent presence on UK high streets, although the brand will continue operating through other channels.\n\nThe company’s website will remain active, while customers will still be able to access GAME through around 200 concession stands inside Sports Direct and House of Fraser stores.\n\nNick Arran, who has served as managing director for nearly nine years, will leave the business following the closures.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHis departure comes after a period in which the company had sought to stabilise its operations amid wider industry changes.\n\nGAME has been reducing its store estate for several years, closing locations as leases expired.\n\nThe company also shut its Basingstoke headquarters last year as part of restructuring efforts.\n\nFrasers Group acquired the business in 2019 in a £52million deal, bringing it under the same ownership as Sports Direct and House of Fraser.\n\nDespite the takeover, the retailer has faced continued pressure in a market increasingly dominated by digital sales.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Major beauty retailer to open new stores in major UK expansion - full breakdown here\n  * Historic British pottery maker files for administration putting 500 jobs at risk\n  * Primark will shut all its stores across England for over 24 hours next month\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nGAME was founded in 1990 by Peter Wickins and Neil Taylor, initially selling video games and consoles through physical stores before expanding internationally.\n\nThe chain became a prominent fixture on British high streets, offering dedicated retail space for gaming hardware, software and accessories.\n\nHowever, the business first encountered major financial difficulties in 2012 when it entered administration.\n\nAlthough it continued trading after that period, the company struggled throughout the latter part of the decade.\n\nFrasers Group’s acquisition provided backing, but the shift towards digital downloads and increasing online competition has continued to impact sales.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIn 2023, Mr Arran said: \"Gaming is our core business, and we will be the last man standing selling physical video games.\"\n\nHe added collector’s editions remained popular, describing them as \"the vinyl of video games.\"\n\nMr Arran also acknowledged the longer-term challenges facing the sector.\n\nHe said: \"We need to be realistic. We have a business to run, and the expectation is that this will decline.\"\n\nThe retailer has continued to face mounting competition from online platforms as the industry moves further towards digital distribution.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Iconic British retailer closes the last of its high street stores as fans rue 'sad' but 'inevitable' end"
}