A retailer is pulling the plug on one of their Ayrshire stores in a blow to the region’s high streets River Island confirmed today, Wednesday, June 25, that their Kilmarnock store is one of five in Scotland which will close. The clothes retailer last week announced plans to close 33 shops across the UK. River Island’s store in Ayr is set to avoid the axe and it will be the only one left in Ayrshire. The closures come amidst mounting losses and a slump in trade for the retailer. Other River Island closures in Scotland include prestigious shopping locations such Edinburgh Princes Street and Glasgow Argyle Street. The stores at Silverburn Shopping Centre in Glasgow and Aberdeen ‘s Union Square are also set to close. It is a huge blow for Kilmarnock town centre which looks set to have another empty unit in a prominent position on King Street. River Island had handed a potential boost to Kilmarnock town centre in 2021 when they drew up plans to take over the former BHS store on King Street. However, the firm pulled out of the move in January 2022 . As a result, the former BHS store has remained empty since the firm went into liquidation in August 2016. It now means three key locations on King Street – the former BHS store, the former Superdrug and the soon-to-be former River Island store – will all be vacant. Don’t miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter