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Historic Brit clothes shop beloved by the Royal Family which supplied Europe’s top fashion houses is forced to close
A HISTORIC British clothing store once beloved by the Royal Family and known for supplying Europe’s top fashion houses has shut down for good—leaving 28 people out of work.
Otterburn Mills, based in Otterburn, Northumberland, with a second store in Rothbury, has gone into liquidation following a series of financial blows.
The 18th-century mill-turned-retail business struggled to recover after the Covid pandemic, with shop visitor numbers failing to return to pre-2020 levels.
The business was further hit by the sudden loss of a key supplier, soaring operating costs, and a shift in consumer shopping habits away from the high street.
The company, which famously made a pram rug for Queen Elizabeth II in 1926, had recently been put up for sale.
However, no buyer could be found, and business recovery experts FRP were brought in to oversee the winding down of operations.
FRP confirmed that the company has ceased trading and 28 employees have been made redundant.
Those affected are now being supported with access to the Redundancy Payments Service.
Antonya Allison, joint liquidator and director at FRP, said: “Otterburn Mills was a well-known and respected local business that had built a loyal customer base over many years.
Unfortunately, the retailer was faced with an array of challenging headwinds that many high-street brands will recognise and, despite our best efforts to identify it has not been possible to find a viable way forward for the business.
Our focus is now on supporting those affected and working to ensure the best possible outcome for creditors through the liquidation process.”
The business also had debts owed to HMRC.
FRP added that it is “working with all stakeholders to ensure an orderly wind down of the business and to maximise returns for creditors.”
Otterburn Mills rose to prominence under William Waddell, the son of a Borders wool manufacturer, and built a reputation for its tweeds and woven fabrics.
These high-quality materials were once used by major European fashion houses including Dior and Balmain.
The site was transformed into a retail clothing store in the 1990s by Euan Pringle, who preserved much of the original mill machinery as part of the shop’s heritage display.
The closure adds to a growing list of British retail losses in recent months.
The Original Factory Shop has begun closing down sales at several branches across Worcestershire, Dorset, Durham and other parts of the UK, as part of its wider restructuring.
Poundland, recently sold to a US-based firm for just £1, is facing the potential closure of around 100 of its 800 UK shops, with job losses expected.
House of Fraser is also shutting down its Worcester city centre store, where a 20 per cent off closing down sale has already begun ahead of its final trading day in September.
Meanwhile, fashion chain River Island is drawing up a radical rescue plan to avoid collapse, which includes shutting some stores.
Its Banbury branch is set to close at the end of June, and more may follow as the retailer attempts to recover from a £33.2 million loss last year.
Industry experts say these closures reflect broader trends, including rising energy bills, business rates, and staffing costs.
Many shoppers have moved online or prefer to visit large retail parks over traditional town centres.
The Centre for Retail Research has warned that more than 17,000 UK stores could shut their doors in 2025, putting up to 202,000 retail jobs at risk.
The loss of Otterburn Mills, a once-thriving symbol of British textile heritage, underlines the deepening crisis for both independent shops and national retail chains across the UK.
Without meaningful support or change in consumer habits, more historic names could be lost from the high street for good.
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs would cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research published by the British Chambers of Commerce earlier this year shows that more than half of companies planned to raise prices by early April.
Separately, the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
Thousands of Thames Water customers are stuck on unfair 30-year-old tariffs
THOUSANDS of Thames Water customers are stuck on unfair 30-year-old tariffs, The Sun can reveal.
Many without water meters have seen bills soar because they are calculated using their property’s rateable value — set way back in the 1990s.
One Sun reader told us his monthly payment was up by a huge 671 per cent, from £21 to £162.
Thames, which is trying to negotiate a multi-billion pound rescue deal, had said bills would rise by 31 per cent from April.
But many are up by more than 40 per cent.
Customers in homes unsuited to water meters — such as many flats — say they have been hit with higher hikes over the years.
Their bills are calculated by their historic rateable value, which can depend on size and location — so they will often vary for homes in the same street.
The Sun has been told that huge numbers of properties are unsuitable for water meters — including about 70 per cent in London.
It means many people are struggling on unfair tariffs — and we have delivered a dossier of cases to Thames asking it to investigate.
Consumer expert Martyn James said affordability was “deeply concerning”.
Industry regulator Ofwat said some customers may see their payments increase by more than average.
Thames said: “We offer comprehensive support for customers struggling to pay their bill.”
TESCO SALES UP
TESCO has revealed stronger sales over the latest quarter despite an “intensely competitive” grocery market.
The UK’s largest supermarket chain said it has increased its market share further after investing more in pricing to lure customers.
Group sales grew by 4.6 per cent to £16.4billion for the 13 weeks to May 24.
Food sales rose by 5.9 per cent while non-food sales, excluding toys, rose by 6.2 per cent.
£500 YOB FINES
DISRUPTIVE Ryanair passengers who are removed from planes will be fined £500.
The carrier said this will be the “minimum” penalty and it will continue to pursue offenders for civil damages.
It hopes the policy will “act as a deterrent to eliminate this unacceptable behaviour”.
The airline is suing one passenger for £12,600 after a Dublin-Lanzarote flight had to divert to Porto last year.
EX-WILKO STAFF COMPO
ABOUT 10,000 former Wilko workers will share a £2million payout following a legal case, it was announced yesterday.
The GMB union said an employment tribunal judgment ruled that the retailer had failed to properly consult with workers before going bust in 2023.
It means about 9,000 who worked in a store with 20 or more people will get four days’ pay.
And roughly 1,100 who worked in a distribution centre or support centre role will receive 13 days’ pay.
GMB rep David Bartlett said it was “the very least Wilko workers deserve”.
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Heartbreak for ex-Chelsea ace Ramona Bachmann as ACL injury ends hope of playing in Euros for Switzerland
RAMONA BACHMANN is “deeply saddened” that a knee injury has wrecked her hopes of playing for Switzerland at this year’s Euros.
The Houston Dash forward, who spent three years at Chelsea, tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.
Bachmann, who played for Chelsea from 2017 to 2020, sustained the injury during a training session on June 11.
The former WSL ace had no physical contact with any other player in the moment during which her knee was damaged.
According to the Swiss football federation tests carried out earlier today revealed Bachmann had suffered an ACL injury.
The forward, who has 153 senior international caps, is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines
Bachmann, who has scored 60 goals for Switzerland, said: I am deeply saddened that I will miss the Euro, especially here in Switzerland.
“This tournament was a big goal for me, and I have given everything over the past few months to be ready for it”.
Switzerland will face Norway in their Euros opener in Basel on July 2 before clashes with their other Group A rivals Finland and Iceland.
Head coach Pia Sundhage is yet to name her squad for the contest with Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti and Aston Villa’s Noelle Maritz likely to make the cut.
In 2023 Bachmann was part of the Switzerland side that reached the World Cup’s last 16 two years ago before being knocked out by eventual contest winners Spain.
The forward, who began her club career 19 years ago with Swiss side SC Luwin, played her first senior Switzerland game at 16 when the team faced Sweden.
During a club career that has included stints with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Wolfsburg, the forward has won 19 major trophies.
This includes two WSL titles and an FA Cup and a League Cup with the Blues under their former boss Emma Hayes.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to call for windfall taxes on oil and gas firms to be scrapped to avoid ‘killing’ the industry
TORY leader Kemi Badenoch due to call for windfall taxes on oil and gas firms to be scrapped to avoid “killing” the industry.
She was also set to demand fresh drilling licences in the North Sea in a blast against Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s decision to ban them in the name of Net Zero.
The Energy Profits Levy was first introduced by the Conservatives to tax companies revelling in record revenues while families struggled with soaring bills.
At the last Budget Rachel Reeves increased the tax by three points to 38 per cent of profits for the next five years.
But Ms Badenoch will today warn these massive profits have “long gone” and the longer the tax remains “the more damaging it becomes”.
She will tell the Scottish Tory conference: “Labour have extended and increased this tax. They are killing this industry.
“And frankly if it is allowed to remain in place until 2030, as is Labour’s current plan, there will be no industry left to tax.
“Thousands will have been made unemployed and all while we import more gas from overseas – from the very same basin in which we are banned from drilling.”
Mr Miliband is pledging £500million to invest in hydrogen, claiming it will create thousands of jobs in the transition to “clean energy”.
He says it will cushion the blow from sectors like iron, steel, glass, chemicals and ceramics whose factories are exposed to higher energy costs.
The Energy Secretary said: “By building hydrogen networks, we are securing homegrown energy that will power British industry for generations to come.”
Forget Thomas Frank, it’s Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta who’s under real pressure in North London
THOMAS FRANK knows what he is getting into at Tottenham.
But it could now become a lot tougher for Mikel Arteta.
Plenty of Tottenham supporters will now be demanding that Ange Postecoglou’s replacement proves he is a level above the Aussie who ended the club’s 17-YEAR trophy drought.
Yet while the Dane will need to have some “frank” conversations, that Europa League victory in Bilbao will have an equally big impact six miles down the Seven Sisters Road.
Suddenly, after Son Heung-min lifted the trophy into the Basque night air, Spurs are not Spursy any more.
Rival supporters can no longer mock their empty trophy cabinet.
It might have been the worst European final in history, secured by the scrappiest of goals, against a Manchester United side destined to be remembered only for their ineptitude.
Yet Spurs are proven winners, at last.
But there is one club in the capital which does appear to have forgotten how to get over the line.
Arsenal have been London’s best, by a street, for three seasons.
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Boss Arteta has fostered a sense of purpose building a formidable unit and restoring, even enhancing, the bond between the club and its fans — however much pre-game anthem “North London Forever” can grate.
Yet while Spurs, Chelsea and Crystal Palace all lifted silverware this term, just as West Ham did in 2023, the Gunners’ best shots have fallen a fraction short of their targets.
Plenty of Arsenal fans will insist they do not care. Of course, they will.
Arteta’s men have come close to lifting the Prem crown, twice shaded out by Manchester City before being the only threat to champions Liverpool over the past ten months.
It was Arsenal who went deepest in the Champions League, too, putting Real Madrid to the sword before being ousted by Paris Saint-Germain, the new kings of Europe.
But Bukayo Saka’s admissions this week of his feelings of “hurt” at the triumphant scenes he witnessed in Bilbao, Wroclaw and Wembley were a window into the true reality.
There comes a point when being the best of the rest is not enough.
And those trophy lifts by Son, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Guehi mean that moment may have been reached.
Arteta’s faith in the underlying numbers, in the expected goals metric and other analytical and statistical tools, is unquestioned.
But he appears to be a believer in the “one more heave” theory of football management.
A couple of key additions — with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko clearly identified as the priority acquisitions for around £115million for the pair — to bolt on to what he has, and that will be enough. Except it might not be.
Arsenal under Arteta are all about control and, at times it feels, to the exclusion of imagination and spark.
But their rivals might be breaking the glass. City’s £108.4m early summer spending spree has been a statement of intent.
Liverpool are likely to have German ace Florian Wirtz and left-sided full-back Milos Kerkez in to add to Jeremie Frimpong who is already through the door.
Chelsea are ready to splash more of Todd Boehly’s seemingly limitless cash.
Arteta knows the fans will now expect him to deliver on his promises.
His only trophy came five years ago, with an FA Cup final win over Chelsea in an empty stadium during the unprecedented aftermath of the pandemic.
Like a tree falling in the Amazon rainforest, some will ask if a Wembley win when there was nobody there to watch it really happened.
Arsenal were unexpected challengers three years ago, leading the way until the last week of April when they hit the wall.
The following campaign they were only overhauled in the final fortnight.
Yet last term, hindered by injuries, red cards and some refereeing shockers, they were never really within touching distance of the Anfield side.
Failure to reinforce significantly in the January window, despite the manager’s public pleading to the board, was critical.
That teams were terrified of Arsenal’s set-piece prowess was unquestioned.
Yet that threat significantly dissipated after centre-back Gabriel limped off against Fulham at the start of April.
Too many supporters have bought into the conspiracy theories, too.
The belief that “they” — whether that be the Premier League, FA, Uefa or PGMOL — are all part of a wide-ranging anti-Arsenal pact.
Allowing that to fester risks giving players a get-out clause as well when things, as they do in football, go against them.
It all adds up to extra scrutiny on Arteta from the first kick of the 2025-26 season. More questions. Additional demands and expectations.
Answer all of them and he can book a modelling session with the statue maker.
But stumble again and it may be the beginning of the end.
Thomas tanking
IT has taken only four games but Thomas Tuchel seems to have brought the England squad together — just not as he planned.
The tough-talking German was supposed to be the missing ingredient after all the near-misses under Gareth Southgate.
But after watching the miserable displays against Andorra and Senegal, it seems the players were united in not really wanting to be there.
And that was before Tuchel brought his dear old mum into it.
Brits love sport
GREAT to see a near-full house at Lord’s on Wednesday for the first day of the World Test Championship final.
The weather wasn’t great and plenty would have wanted Australia and South Africa to BOTH lose.
But further proof Brits will turn up for the opening of an envelope if there’s a sporting event inside.
Riots before World Cup
RIOTS on the streets of Los Angeles and elsewhere.
The Marines and National Guard called in, plus a crackdown on unwanted visitors.
Who says the Americans aren’t getting prepared to host the World Cup a year out?
How ‘frightening’ Liverpool may have found Mo Salah replacement and who gets Viktor Gyokeres – transfers exposed
LIVERPOOL are set to splash over £300million this summer and could become unstoppable.
SunSport exclusively revealed that Bradley Barcola is on Liverpool’s radar in a blockbuster move.
While Viktor Gyokeres’ rumoured strike and Jack Grealish’s uncertain future have also hit the back pages.
Our very own Will Pugh and Dean Scoggins share their thoughts on all the deals and speculation in The Sun’s new show Transfers Exposed.
‘Be afraid of Liverpool’
The Reds are prepared to battle Bayern Munich for the £100m-rated winger Barcola, 22.
Liverpool have also not given up on signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle – though if the Toon stick to their £150m price tag – Barcola will be the alternative.
And if you’re looking for a long-term replacement for Mo Salah, not this season necessarily, Barcola could be the guy.
Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are PSG’s first choice front three.
It means Barcola could want out – especially with a World Cup on the horizon.
Arne Slot is building a versatile group of attackers that can play anywhere along the front in Salah, £126m man Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
And even though Salah signed a new contact, Saudi talks will never be far away from being on the backpage once again.
A statement summer from Liverpool is coming with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez expected to be their new flying full-backs.
Gyok to go
Sporting’s president Frederico Varandas has furiously hit back at Victor Gyokeres saying: “Threats and blackmail don’t work.”
Reports from Lisbon claim the Swedish striker is considering going on strike to force an exit.
Gyokeres, 27, is furious with Sporting for going back on their word over a transfer promise to him.
He believes he had a gentleman’s agreement to leave for £50million with a further £8million in add-ons.
That claim has been rubbished by Varandas and good on Sporting for standing firm with their price.
They know a sale is coming but will not be bullied into cashing-in on the cheap.
Gyokeres will likely have the choice between Man Utd and Arsenal.
And there should not be concern about Gyokeres’ fit for the Premier League should it be a move to Old Trafford or the Emirates.
Ruben Amorim believes he can produce one touch finishes and be a big enough physical presence in leading the line – they did effectively together at Sporting.
As for Arsenal, they just need someone with a proven track record of putting the ball in the back of the net.
97 goals in 102 Sporting games suggests Gyokeres can do that.
If the Gunners can add a top-quality left-winger to their squad as well, a move to North London would be the smarter choice over the circus in Manchester.
Gyokeres deserves a Premier League chance. But don’t expect Erling Haaland numbers straight away.
The Greal Deal
A changing of the guard is happening at Man City after the signings of Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders.
Cherki, 21, will get fans off their seats and the ex-Lyon man will be the wildcard Pep Guardiola has been missing.
City became a bit predictable last season, but trickster Cherki can do anything with the ball at his feet from rainbow flicks over defender’s heads to goals from anywhere with either feet.
Let’s hope Pep does not take the creativity and excitement out his game like he has done to Grealish, who will leave after being left out their Club World Cup squad.
Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Napoli have all been linked with a move for him in the region of £40m-£50m.
And the Toon should go all out to bring the 29-year-old to St James’ Park.
They will have dreams of winning the Europa League and could do with another wide man to compete with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy, while Grealish could also play just behind Isak as a No10.
Newcastle have the money, their fans love a maverick and Eddie Howe is the type of boss to get the best out of him.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Love Island fans beg producers to step in and remove lad after ‘disgusting’ behaviour
LOVE Island fans have insisted that one Islander should be removed from the villa after his ‘disgusting’ behaviour.
30-year-old Harry has come under fire after his shock betrayal on the show after ditching partner Shakira in bed for a night of passion with Helena in the Hideaway.
But his antics have been slammed by viewers who have called upon show’s producers to step in and have him removed from the villa.
Many fans have been left unhappy with the way he disregarded Shakira’s feelings and how he continued to say one thing to her and another to Helena as he attempted to bat their feelings off one another.
Taking to X – formerly Twitter – one fan grumbled of Harry: “Harry is disgusting.”
A second went on to pen: “Harry’s acting like this and hes…thirty?”
Someone else wrote: “Harry.. you lie now but trust your time will come when movie night arrives.
“Switching the script on every convo you have is gonna come back to BITEEEEE.”
“Harry is NOTTTTT the man i thought he’d be, he is a walking, talking RED FLAG,” added a fourth.
As another insisted both he and Helena should be removed for their antics, saying: “I want Helena and Harry OUT. Out NOW!!!!
“Love island producer you know you see knocking the door b****!”
In shock scenes tonight blonde air hostess Helena Ford, 29, and semi-pro footballer Harry Cooksley, 30, snuck off for some alone time – leaving their partners reeling.
The duo were seen planning their rendezvous earlier in the evening and Harry is seen telling Helena to tap his foot on the way out of the bedroom.
A source previously told The Sun: “This is the fastest sleepover in the Hideaway in Love Island’s twelve series history – and what a gorgeous pair to do so.
“In the past, producers had to invite Islanders to use the breakout bedroom which meant the love nest was generally not used until couples became more established.
“But producers have changed the rules of the breakout bedroom so it can be used at any time, without an invite.
“It means Helena and Harry could take advantage of the ‘no invite needed’ and explore their connection.
“The scenes will play out later this week, but bosses are unlikely to show anything too naughty, as is the show’s usual approach.”
Love Island 2025 full lineup
- Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare.
- Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident.
- Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads.
- Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa.
- Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish.
- Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition.
- Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart.
- Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern.
- Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves.
- Megan Clarke: An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins.
- Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father’s footsteps.
- Aaron Buckett: A towering 6’5” personal trainer.
- Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro
- Antonia Laites: Love Island’s first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress.
- Rose Selway: Beauty salon owner from Devon who runs 12 aesthetics clinics, boasting a famous clientele including former Love Islanders
Departures:
- Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing.
