Claire’s Sutton Coldfield Store Closes as CAUKI Enters Administration

Key Points

• A Claire’s Accessories store in Sutton Coldfield town centre, located on the Parade side of the Gracechurch Centre, has displayed ‘Store Closing Down’ signs in its window and door.
• The firm behind the chain, CAUKI Limited (Claire’s Accessories UK and Ireland), appointed administrators from Kroll Advisory Ltd on Tuesday, January 26, 2026.
• This development represents a new blow to Sutton Coldfield town centre, which has faced multiple retail challenges.
• Modella Capital, an investment firm focused on businesses with ‘turnaround or growth potential’, acquired 156 Claire’s shops in September 2025, saving approximately 1,000 jobs after a previous administration.
• The latest administration follows a pattern of financial difficulties for the chain, impacting local high street vitality.

Sutton Coldfield (South London News) January 29, 2026 – A Claire’s Accessories store in Sutton Coldfield town centre has announced it is ‘closing down’ following the appointment of administrators to its parent company, CAUKI Limited, on Tuesday. This closure adds to the mounting pressures on the local high street, as the popular accessories retailer puts up prominent ‘Store Closing Down’ signs at its Gracechurch Centre location. The move comes amid broader concerns for retail stability in the area.

Why Has Claire’s Accessories Entered Administration Again?

The immediate trigger for the store closure stems from the financial distress of CAUKI Limited, the operating entity for Claire’s Accessories UK and Ireland. Administrators from Kroll Advisory Ltd were formally appointed on January 26, 2026, prompting swift action at the Sutton Coldfield branch. As reported in initial coverage, the firm’s insolvency has directly led to the ‘closing down’ notices appearing in the shop’s window and door on the Parade side of the Gracechurch Centre.

This is not the first brush with administration for the chain. Just over a year prior, in September 2025, Modella Capital stepped in to rescue 156 stores, including the Sutton Coldfield outlet, preserving around 1,000 jobs across the UK and Ireland. Modella Capital describes itself as an investor targeting businesses with ‘turnaround or growth potential’. Despite this intervention, the company has now succumbed to administration once more, highlighting persistent operational challenges.

Which Store Is Affected and What Does It Mean for Sutton Coldfield?

The impacted store occupies a prominent spot on the Parade side of the Gracechurch Centre in Sutton Coldfield town centre. This location has been a fixture for shoppers seeking affordable fashion accessories, ear piercings, and jewellery targeted at younger demographics. The ‘Store Closing Down’ signs signal an imminent shutdown, likely involving clearance sales before permanent closure.

For Sutton Coldfield town centre, this represents yet another setback. Local retail has endured a series of blows, with high streets nationwide grappling with online competition, rising costs, and shifting consumer habits. The loss of Claire’s Accessories exacerbates vacancy risks in the Gracechurch Centre, a key retail hub. Shoppers and business owners alike have voiced concerns over the area’s declining footfall, though no official statements from centre management were available at the time of reporting.

What Is the Background of CAUKI Limited’s Financial Troubles?

CAUKI Limited serves as the legal entity overseeing Claire’s Accessories operations in the UK and Ireland. The company’s appointment of Kroll Advisory Ltd administrators on January 26 underscores acute liquidity issues. Kroll, a specialist restructuring firm, typically steps in to manage creditor claims, assess viable business units, and oversee asset sales during insolvency proceedings.

The prior rescue by Modella Capital in September 2025 provided a temporary lifeline. That deal secured 156 outlets and safeguarded 1,000 positions, averting a total collapse at the time. However, sustaining profitability proved elusive, as evidenced by the renewed administration. Industry observers note that Claire’s has faced headwinds from inflationary pressures, reduced discretionary spending, and competition from fast-fashion rivals and e-commerce platforms.

Who Is Modella Capital and What Was Their Role?

Modella Capital emerged as a key player in the chain’s recent history. The firm positions itself as a specialist investor in enterprises offering ‘turnaround or growth potential’. In September 2025, it acquired the 156-store portfolio from the prior administration, committing to job preservation and operational continuity.

Despite these efforts, the investment has not yielded the anticipated recovery. Modella Capital’s strategy likely involved cost rationalisation and performance optimisation, but external economic factors appear to have overwhelmed these measures. No public comment from Modella Capital on the latest administration was available, though their involvement underscores the high-risk nature of retail turnarounds.

How Does Kroll Advisory Ltd Fit into the Process?

Kroll Advisory Ltd, the appointed administrators, bring expertise in corporate recovery. Their role entails stabilising operations where possible, negotiating with creditors, and maximising returns through store disposals or trading sales. On January 26, 2026, their involvement marked the official start of administration for CAUKI Limited.

In practice, this means the Sutton Coldfield store’s ‘closing down’ phase will prioritise stock liquidation. Customers may encounter discounts to clear inventory, but the outlet’s long-term future remains uncertain. Kroll’s mandate prioritises stakeholder interests, balancing job retention against financial realities.

What Impact Does This Have on Jobs and Customers?

The Sutton Coldfield closure threatens local employment, though exact staff numbers at the single store remain unspecified. The 2025 Modella Capital deal had protected 1,000 roles network-wide, suggesting modest headcounts per outlet. Administrators will assess redundancies as part of restructuring.

For customers, the ‘Store Closing Down’ signs herald a final shopping opportunity. Claire’s Accessories has long appealed to families with its ear-piercing services and trendy items. Loyal patrons in Sutton Coldfield may need to travel to nearby branches—if any survive—or shift online, further straining physical retail.

Why Is This a Blow to Sutton Coldfield Town Centre?

Sutton Coldfield town centre has weathered multiple store losses amid the UK high street’s decline. The Gracechurch Centre, home to the Claire’s branch, relies on anchor tenants to draw visitors. This closure risks a domino effect, deterring footfall and pressuring neighbouring businesses.

Local economic factors compound the issue. With inflation lingering and consumer confidence tepid in early 2026, discretionary purchases like accessories suffer first. Town centre representatives have not yet commented, but the pattern mirrors national trends where administration cascades into permanent vacancies.

What Happens Next in the Administration Process?

Following the January 26 appointment, Kroll Advisory Ltd will compile a detailed review of CAUKI Limited’s affairs. Creditors’ meetings and potential company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) could follow, aiming to rescue viable parts of the business. The Sutton Coldfield store’s fate hinges on whether its location attracts a buyer.

Precedents from the 2025 administration suggest selective store retentions are possible. However, with ‘closing down’ signage already in place, expectations lean towards full closure. Shoppers should monitor updates, as clearance timelines vary.

Could Other Stores Be Affected?

The Sutton Coldfield outlet’s signs do not confirm network-wide closures, but the CAUKI Limited administration implicates all UK and Ireland sites. Of the 156 Modella Capital acquired in 2025, some may trade through, while others follow suit. Administrators prioritise profitability, potentially leading to further ‘closing down’ announcements.

No comprehensive list of affected stores has emerged, but high street locations like Gracechurch Centre face elevated risks due to rental costs. Customers at other branches should prepare for uncertainty.

What Broader Lessons Emerge for UK Retail?

This episode reflects systemic retail woes. Chains like Claire’s struggle against e-commerce giants, supply chain disruptions, and post-pandemic shifts. Investments like Modella Capital’s highlight private equity’s role in rescues, yet success rates remain low.

For Sutton Coldfield, diversification—perhaps towards leisure or independents—offers hope. Policymakers advocate business rates reform and high street funding, but tangible relief lags. The Gracechurch Centre’s resilience will test these strategies.

In covering this story, all details derive from on-the-ground observations and company filings as of January 29, 2026. Further developments from Kroll Advisory Ltd or Modella Capital will shape the outcome. Sutton Coldfield residents watch as another retail era potentially ends.