Brighton Topshop cleared after brand sold to Asos

The devastating news for the high street came on February 1 as online fashion retailer Asos secured a £265 million takeover of Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT amid the collapse of the Arcadia empire.

Now, the flagship Topshop and Topman store in Brighton's Churchill Square shopping centre has been stripped of stock and fittings.

A laminated A4 sign stuck to the inside of the glass door ahead of the third national lockdown says the store has been "temporarily closed" due to coronavirus restrictions. But, it adds, the Topshop/Topman team "look forward to seeing you again soon".

However, a second, newer sign now displayed next to the original provides details of the Arcadia Group entering administration.

Huge red "60 per cent off" sale posters continue to hang in the store's windows and the instantly recognisable Topshop and Topman logos remain above the doorway.

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But all clothes have been removed from the site.

Some internal fittings such as shelves and rails remain, but the majority of the shop now lies bare.

Following the sale of Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT to Asos, administrators for Sir Philip Green's retail group said the online retailer has paid an additional £65 million for current and pre-ordered stock.

The TopShop store at the Churchill Square shopping centre in Brighton after the site's permanent closure was confirmed

Asos chief executive Nick Beighton said: "We are extremely proud to be the new owners of the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands.

"The acquisition of these iconic British brands is a hugely exciting moment for Asos and our customers and will help accelerate our multi-brand platform strategy.

"We have been central to driving their recent growth online and, under our ownership, we will develop them further, using our design, marketing, technology and logistics expertise, and working closely with key strategic retail partners in the UK and around the world."