NEWS


Joe Browns adds to its high street portfolio with a brand new store in The Cotswolds B


ritish fashion and lifestyle brand Joe Browns has opened the doors to its latest high street store, bringing


its signature colour, character and feel- good fashion to the heart of Cirencester. The 2,600sq ft space welcomed a wave of enthusiastic shoppers on opening day, with more than 100 people queuing to be among the first in.


In true Joe Browns style, the opening


celebration was full of personality. The ribbon was cut by Cirencester Mayor, Sarah Orr, who fully embraced the spirit of the brand by wearing one of its standout pieces, the Marcie Check Mesh Dress – perfectly capturing the individuality Joe Browns is known for. Company Founder, Simon Brown, joined the


franchise owners Adrian and Julie North to personally welcome customers, share stories about the brand and celebrate the launch with the local community. Speaking at the event, Mr Brown said: "What a


fantastic welcome we’ve had here in Cirencester. From the warmth of neighbouring businesses to the enthusiasm of customers, it’s been truly remarkable. Meeting so many people over here has been an absolute pleasure.


“I couldn’t be prouder of what Adrian, Julie and the team have created,” he added. “This store captures everything we love about Joe Browns – it’s colourful, it’s full of personality and it’s designed to inspire. The positive response from shoppers here in Cirencester has been incredible, and we’re very excited to become part of this town’s thriving retail scene.” Designed by SmithBrewer, the store reflects Joe Browns’ unmistakable aesthetic – bold,


NEXT rumoured to take over British handbag brand, Radley


N


EXT is reportedly considering a takeover of British handbag brand Radley, just months after its


acquisition of footwear brand Russell & Bromley through an insolvency process. The retail chain is said to be in discussions with advisers to Radley’s owner, private equity firm Freshstream, regarding a potential deal to acquire the brand and its intellectual property assets. This would mark the latest strategic


acquisition for NEXT, following a series of deals involving well-known high street names such as FatFace, Joules, Cath Kidston and Seraphine, where the focus has typically been on brand value and intellectual property rather than physical store portfolios. However, NEXT is not the only party


interested in Radley. It is also reportedly in


talks with US-based Gordon Brothers, which acquired value retailer Poundland in 2025 and is the former owner of Laura Ashley. In March it was announced that Radley


was undergoing a strategic review, following a challenging period for the brand. Over the past three years, it has been implementing a transformation strategy under Nick Vance, who took over as CEO in April 2023. The company outlined plans to reposition itself as “a modern British icon of accessible luxury” following the release of its 2024 financial results. Mr Vance commented last year that the


business was targeting growth as it refined its proposition with a more contemporary design direction, led by its first-ever Design Director, Fernando Soriano Iglesias, who joined from brands including Calvin Klein and Carolina Herrera.


In its financial report covering the year to


April 2025, Radley reported growth across direct-to-consumer, digital and licensing channels, although wholesale performance declined, partly due to technology challenges and partners shifting towards drop-ship and marketplace models.


creative and full of surprises. Every corner has been carefully considered to create an engaging shopping experience where customers can explore distinctive collections across womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories. Opening day celebrations brought the Joe


Browns spirit to life – with live acoustic music from Tom Corneill and complimentary drinks for customers as they soaked up the atmosphere.


8 • FOOTWEAR & FASHION TODAY • APRIL 2026


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