In a difficult year for businesses of all sizes, Wiltshire has lost plenty of beloved shops, restaurants, and more.
Throughout much of 2025, the national landscape has remained gloomy for many industries, particularly hospitality.
It has not all been negative in Wiltshire, and dozens of new venues have opened, but shoppers have also said goodbye to both national chains and small independents.
Here are some of the most popular businesses that we loved and lost this year.
Rick Stein’s Marlborough restaurant
One of the most prominent losses on Wiltshire’s high streets this year was the closure of Rick Stein’s Marlborough restaurant.
The celebrity chef’s restaurant chain axed the Marlborough branch in October following poor performance and Mr Stein and his family labelled the decision a sad end for the venue.
Club e11evn, Chippenham
Club e11evn on New Road was Chippenham’s last dedicated nightlife venue and had been a cornerstone of the industry for two decades.
In February the nightclub closed its doors for the final time claiming the late-night economy in Chippenham had declined while operating costs had continued to rise.
Claire’s Accessories, Chippenham and Trowbridge
Claire’s was one of the biggest national names to run into financial problems this year and 145 stores were at risk after the firm appointed administrators in August.
Branches in Chippenham’s Borough Parade and The Shires in Trowbridge folded as a result of this move, and shut after holding closing down sales.
Five Zero Supercars, Bradford on Avon
The luxury supercar event company lost its venue at Holt Road in Bradford on Avon in November following a rent dispute.
The building had been a “state-of-the-art Supercar Barn, Diner, Event and Exhibition space.”
The Beanery Cafe, Poulshot
The Beanery Cafe, near Devizes, had been successfully run by award-winning chocolatier Holly Garner for two years but shut in August after becoming financially unviable.
Mrs Garner’s business Hollychocs has continued trading online and still hosts bookable chocolate experiences from their studio.
New Look, Devizes
The closure of New Look’s branch in The Brittox this June shocked shoppers and came after 25 years of serving the town.
The New Look Devizes team, including long-serving manager Jackie, said they were “gutted” and the shop was later put on the market.
Postern Hill campsite, Marlborough
Postern Hill campsite at Savernake Forest closed indefinitely in October after the most recent management team left due to poor financial performance.
The site’s future remains up in the air, with locals keen to see it reopen as a campsite.
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