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DOZENS of shops are set to close across the country before the end of the month in the latest blow to UK high streets.

Just two months in to 2025 and it’s already proving to be another tough year for many major brands.

Alamy

Rising living costs – which mean shoppers have less cash to burn – and an increase in online shopping has battered retail in recent years.

Just this week former staple of the high street Quiz crashed into administration with the immediate closure of 23 stores.

The company, best know for its party wear struggled in recent years and appointed insolvency practitioner Teneo to manage its collapse.

It comes as fresh figures from the Centre for Retail Research showed around 13,479 high street stores shut for good last year.

This was up from 28% on the levels seen in 2023.

Here are all the retailers which have announced plans to close store this month.

DOBBIES

The garden centre chain will close its branch in Aylesbury come February 28.

It comes after the gardening specialist closed 16 stores as part of a restructuring plan late last year.

Five shops have already shut their doors throughout January.

Two of the shops, Morpeth and Stapleton, had been earmarked for closure already but shut their doors for the last time in mid January.

The chain will also close a branch in Northampton on March 2.

NEW LOOK

The fashion retailer said it would close a site in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf on February 22.

Sites are Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, as well as in St Austell, Cornwall, are also marked for closure.

New Look is understood to be speeding up its store closure programme due to a hike to employers National Insurance coming in from April.

Approximately a quarter of the retailer’s 364 stores are at risk when their leases expire.

This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on its 8,000 strong workforce, though stores affected have not been identified.

The company has restructured its store estate twice in the past six years, reducing its portfolio from around 600 UK stores in 2018.

HOMEBASE

Homebase revealed 33 stores would close this month after crashing into administration.

These include:

• Abington
• Alnwick
• Antrim
• Barnstaple
• Basildon Vange
• Belfast
• Branksome
• Cannock
• Chester
• Chichester Discovery Park
• Craigavon
• Daventry
• Derby Kingsway
• Folkestone
• Galwally
• Gateshead
• Glenrothes
• Harlow
• Herne Bay
• Hove
• Inverurie
• Ledbury
• Lewes
• Luton
• Newcastle Under Lyme
• Norwich Hall Road
• Norwich Sprowston
• Nottingham Arnold
• Saffron Walden
• Selly Oak
• Sleaford
• Sudbury
• Waltham Cross

Homebase fell into administration in November, with up to 70 of the struggling DIY chain’s branches bought by CDS Superstores, now trading as Wilko, The Range and Homebase.

Teneo has confirmed 13 branches closed last month, including in London, Coventry and Bradford.

Now, the 33 shutting this month will take the full list of branches closing to 52, after six shut before the end of 2024.

Of the 74 sites put up for sale by Teneo, Sainsbury’s is expected to buy three more stores, after securing 10 earlier in 2024.

Last month, B&Q agreed to buy five branches. This suggests around four stores out of the list of 74 are at risk of closure still.

WHSMITH

The stationary-to-sweets giant has closed a total of four stores this month, but more are on the horizon.

Sites in Bouremouth, Denbigshire, Manchester, and Powys all closed on February 15.

This came as the 232 year-old British business put its entire high street estate up for sale, with The Sun naming HMV owner Doug Putman among the potential buyers.

WHSmith is focusing on the travel side of its business where sales are growing, including airports and train stations.

In an update this year to investors, the retailer said it’s on track to open 15 stores this year, with a further 15 to follow “each year over the medium term”.

The retailer said it would be moving away from its high-street stores and has no plans to open any more.

A total of 18 sites have been confirmed for closure this year, following a number of closures last year.

THE ORIGINAL FACTORY SHOP

The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) will close a branch in Great Harwood in Lancashire on February 28.

Explaining the reasons for the closure a spokesperson from TOFS said: “We can confirm that sadly we will be exiting our store in Great Harwood on February 28, after the landlord served a break to end the lease of this store early.

“We are working hard to support the  colleagues that will be affected and are seeking to redeploy them across our business.”

The Great Harwood store has launched a clearance sale ahead of the closure with up to 50% off prices.

The discount store’s nearest branch for shoppers in the area will then be in Clitheroe, six miles from the closed shop.

This closure is the result of a landlord ending the lease, but there has been speculation around the future of the wider business in recent months.

Despite a search at the end of 2024 the discount retailer did not manage to secure a buyer, raising concerns about its future.

The brand currently trades from 187 stores across the UK.

JOLLYS

Jolly’s, a flagship department store in Bath, is set to close on February 22.

The store has stood up since 1823 and is one of Europe’s oldest department stores.

A closing down sign has been posted in the windows of the huge building stating that all stock must go.

The store, while independent, is owned by Frasers Group, which announced it would shutter the store despite plans by the council to secure a future for it.

“The council was unaware of the intention of the current occupier to put up the notices which have appeared in the windows of the store,” it said in a statement.

“While plans are at an advanced stage with a third party occupier, the council is not in a position to make a formal statement at this time in relation to its proposals for the future of one of Bath’s most important department stores.”

FARMFOODS

Farmfoods  closed one of its Oxfordshire locations on February 2 in a blow to shoppers.

The store at The Calthorpe Center in Banbury shutting its doors for good on earlier this month.

A spokesperson said: “I confirm our shop at the Calthorpe Centre, Banbury will permanently close on February 2 following a 50 per cent sale.

“We’re grateful to all customers who have shopped with us during our time trading from the property and hope to open a new shop elsewhere in the town in future.”

MANCHESTER UNITED travel to Everton for a huge Premier League clash TODAY.

The Red Devils are looking to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in the top flight.

Injuries to key players such as Amad Diallo has forced Ruben Amorim to name numerous teenagers on the bench in recent weeks, but some first-team stars are set to return to the pitch at Goodison Park this afternoon.

Man Utd face an Everton side who are in red-hot form under David Moyes, picking up 13 points from their last five games.

The former United boss will be looking to pile more misery on his former employers as the Toffees eye their fifth Prem win in six matches.

• Kick off time: 12.30pm GMT
• TV channel: TNT Sports 1
• Live stream: discovery+
• Everton team: To follow…
• Man Utd team: To follow…

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SIR Keir Starmer is reportedly set to defy Donald Trump when he unveils a new defence budget plan next week.

The PM is expected to confirm a timeline to raise defence spending when he visits Washington next week.

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Sir Keir Starmer is set to ‘defy’ Trump in his new defence budget next week[/caption]

AFP

Trump has started negotiations with Russia to end the conflict[/caption]

The Prime Minister will have to walk a tricky line when he meets Mr Trump, balancing the UK’s support for Ukraine with the need to keep the US onside.

The US president has started negotiations with Russia on ending the conflict, but excluded Kyiv from the talks – and a deepening rift has emerged between him and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as the two have traded barbs.

Washington has also put pressure on the UK and its allies to do more to shoulder the burden of European defence.

In an effort to ease tensions, Sir Keir is expected during the trip to finally set a date, likely 2030, for the UK to reach its goal of spending 2.5 per cent of GDP, The Telegraph reported.

This is up from the current per cent.

The Prime Minister will also deliver an invitation from the King for a state visit to the UK, according to the newspaper.

The US president is known to admire the royal family.

Sir Keir’s trip to Washington will come after Ukraine marks three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

The Prime Minister will reportedly unveil a new package of support for Kyiv on Monday to mark the occasion, including new sanctions and a defence announcement.

His trip to see the US President will also come after a visit to Washington by Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Trump said Sir Keir and the French president “haven’t done anything” to end the war in Ukraine in the last three years.

“They didn’t do anything either (to end the war). The war’s going on, no meetings with Russia, no nothing.

“They haven’t done anything. Macron is a friend of mine, and I’ve met with the Prime Minister and he’s a very nice guy (but) nobody’s done anything,” he told a Fox News podcast released Friday.

Mr Macron has said he intends to tell his American counterpart not to “be weak” in the face of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Sir Keir is also facing pressure to take a firm line when he meets Mr Trump.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused Mr Trump of plotting a “stitch-up” with Mr Putin that “amounts to a betrayal of Ukraine”, and urged the Prime Minister to speak “honestly and openly” with him.

Sir Ed added: “I think we’re all astonished and deeply alarmed, and if the British Prime Minister doesn’t reflect that, he’s not reflecting the views of the British people.”

But senior Cabinet minister Pat McFadden stressed the importance of maintaining a “good and constructive relationship” with the White House.

“I think the UK is potentially in a good position with this administration, if we handle it correctly.

“Handling it correctly doesn’t mean following every twist and turn of every comment, but is focusing on what will actually happen as well as what was said,” he said at a fringe event at the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow on Friday.

The growing rift between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky presents a challenge for the Prime Minister.

The US leader described Mr Zelensky as a “dictator”.

The Ukrainian president then claimed Mr Trump was living in a Russian “disinformation space”, which led White House officials to accuse Mr Zelensky of “insulting” his counterpart.

The Americans also cancelled a planned joint press conference in Kyiv, in a sign of a deepening feud between the two countries.

I think we’re all astonished and deeply alarmed, and if the British Prime Minister doesn’t reflect that, he’s not reflecting the views of the British people

Sir Ed Davey

Businessman Elon Musk, who is acting as an adviser on federal spending to Mr Trump, meanwhile suggested Mr Zelensky is running a “fraud machine feeding off the dead bodies of soldiers”, suggesting limited appetite for continued American support for Ukraine.

However, Mr Trump’s Ukraine envoy, retired general Keith Kellogg, praised Mr Zelensky on Friday as an “embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war” following what he described as “extensive and positive discussions” between the two men.

Mr Macron said he would tell Mr Trump: “It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest.

“How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin?”

Poland’s president Andrzej Duda is set to meet Mr Trump on Saturday, Polish news agency PAP reported.

Mr Duda said he had a “candid” conversation with Mr Zelensky on Friday and urged him to “remain committed to the course of calm and constructive co-operation” with Mr Trump.

“I trust that good will and honesty form the foundation of the US negotiation strategy,” he posted on X.

The United States has proposed a draft United Nations resolution that stops far short of a competing European-backed statement demanding an immediate withdrawal of all of Moscow’s forces from Ukraine.

The very short US draft resolution offers mourning for “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and “implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia”.

The draft resolution from the European Union and Ukraine singles out the assembly’s demand that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders” and its demand to immediate halt all hostilities.

Meanwhile, some 62 per cent of Britons believe Ukraine should be allowed into Nato, according to new polling.

The research by YouGov also suggested 68 per cent think the UK should maintain its commitment to defend allies in the military bloc, but when asked specifically about defending the US this figure fell to 42 per cent.

If Britain were attacked, 44 per cent believe America would come to the country’s aid but 35 per cent are doubtful, according to the poll of 2,231 UK adults carried out this week.

AP

Reeves has hinted at spending cuts to fund defence budget[/caption]

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Mr Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of running a ‘fraud machine’[/caption]

AP

Macron summoned the PM to Paris to help come up with a European response to a possible Ukraine peace deal[/caption]

NO LONGER the go-to store for gran fashion, in recent years M&S has become the place to nab the latest highstreet trends.

Must-have items regularly sell-out with fans rushing to get their hands on the department store’s designer dupes and fashion forward pieces.

M&S

Shoppers are racing to get their hands on M&S animal print jeans[/caption]

M&S Animal Print Wide Leg Jeans, £45

M&S

The jeans are fitted with five pockets giving the wearer plenty of storage[/caption]

And the latest item to send fans into a frenzy is a pair of leopard print jeans that shoppers are praising for their versatility and comfort.

While once reserved for the wardrobe of Kat Slater, leopard print can now be found in every fashionista’s wardrobe so it’s no wonder these jeans are proving popular.

The pure cotton jeans are fitted with a wide leg style, with an on-trend high waistline making them both a comfy and stylish choice.

They also feature five pockets giving the girl-on-the-go plenty of places to store phones, bank cards, wallets, you name it.

Coming in at £45, they are a little pricier than M&S other denim choices but according to shoppers they are well worth the price having amassed almost exclusively five star reviews.

Sharing their review, one shopper wrote: “Fabulous fit. Feel absolutely luxurious on. So pleased with my purchase.”

“Saw these recommended and have never been brave rough,” wrote another shopper. 

“But these are basically a neutral and seen much more expensive pairs elsewhere (sic). 

“Super comfy decent denim which is perfect for colder temperatures.”

A third happy customer added: “Love them!! Amazing quality and have had lovely comments.”

Last month, fashion fans were rushing to pick up the retailer’s £30 wide-leg trousers described as “great quality” and “smart for work”.

Featuring an elasticated waist and an adjustable drawstring fastening, the comfortable design and stylish fit is why they’re a hit.

The trousers come in regular, short, long and petite options, with five colourways that are ideal for everyday and formal wear.

If M&S’ new-in leather jacket is anything like the bestselling trousers, it’s likely that sizes will be selling out rapidly.

M&S

At £45 they are more of an investment piece but shoppers say they are worth the cost[/caption]

M&S

The trousers have received almost exclusively five star reviews[/caption]

THE IT Crowd star Chris O’Dowd has teamed up with a Mad Men actress for a brand new sci-fi series.

Chris and Christina Hendricks both found fame in the rival shows but have now landed themselves a brand new project together.

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Chris O’Dowd is launching a brand new show[/caption]

Handout

He has teamed up with Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks[/caption]

Following the success of his semi-autobiographical sitcom Moone Boy, Hollywood star Chris has penned a comedy-drama that combines his past and present life, with a huge helping of science-fiction.

Speaking about choosing to make the show, Chris revealed: “I’d been looking for something to set in the north-west of Ireland, somewhere small, like a village.

“I imagined my mother’s home, which is 10 miles or so outside of Boyle [Chris’ hometown, where Moone Boy was filmed]

“But this time I wanted to make somewhere up – Drumbán, where it’s all a bit dark and silly.

“I had been working in Ireland up by the lakes and I had forgotten how beautiful they were, so I thought they would be a beautiful place to set a show.

“It feels a lot more authentic filming in places with character.”

In the six-part series, US TV executive Wendy Patterson (Christina Hendricks) chooses her sleepy hometown in rural Ireland as the location for the studio’s next blockbuster series.

While the locals are thrilled, local GP – and Wendy’s former boyfriend – Seamus Proctor (Paddy Considine) is afraid that it will shine a light on a hushed-up alien landing 25 years previously.

“I thought the show needed a secret that characters could keep – or not keep,” says Chris, who also has a cameo role.

“That’s the part about aliens. It’s about the ramifications that it has on the characters from the town.

” And a secret that two of those characters have been keeping since Millennium eve…”

Chris’ wife, television presenter Dawn O’Porter, was instrumental in getting Christina Hendricks on-board with the show – and the Mad Men star clearly had a blast during filming.

“It’s a comedy but we play it very, very seriously, which I think makes it even more funny,” said Christina, 49.

“There is the recurring theme of birds dropping from the sky at inopportune moments.

“The way it happens and people’s reactions completely cracks me up. For example, a large swan drops from the sky and just clobbers one of the characters out of the blue!”

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It is a long way from The IT Crowd[/caption]

DANA WHITE has issued a defiant message to those claiming Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall won’t happen.

A historic heavyweight title unification bout between the undisputed and interim champions is at the top of MMA fans’ wishlists for 2025.

YOUTUBE@TOMASPINALL

The UFC brass are working on a historic fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall[/caption]

GETTY

MMA fans are doubtful the fight will happen after Jones’ demand for “f**k you” money[/caption]

INSTAGRAM@DANAWHITE

UFC supremo Dana White insists the fight is “coming”[/caption]

Negotiations over the blockbuster bout began after Jones retained his strap with a stunning third-round TKO of Stipe Miocic last November.

Doubts over the mammoth melee coming to fruition, however, are slowly growing with each passing week.

But White addressed the doubters during a recent Instagram Live, in which he announced a spate of fight news.

“Yes you will,” he said after a fan commented that we’re ‘not getting’ Jones vs Aspinall. “It’s coming. Relax.”

White’s insistence that the fight will happen comes just weeks after he suggested the promotion will contemplate STRIPPING Jones if negotiations drag on until the summer.

When asked if they could consider relieving Jones of the belt, White told The MacLife: “One hundred per cent.

“If we don’t get the fight done, we move on, and we make another fight.

“But not last night, but the night before, I was up in my room with my people until like 6 in the morning.

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“We’re working on lots of stuff right now. There’s lots of really good sh*t going on right now.”

Jones, 37, has demanded “f**k you” money to unify the belts against Brit Aspinall.

And White admits the ball is well and truly in the UFC‘s court to meet his demands and deliver what he’s on record as saying will be the “biggest fight” in the promotion’s history.

“There’s no situation,” said the 55-year-old promoter. “It’s the biggest fight we can make.

“I know the fans like to mess with Jon or whatever.

“Jon Jones isn’t afraid of anybody, and Jon Jones will fight anybody.

“It’s just a matter of getting the fight done now. That’s our job.”

Wigan warrior Aspinal claimed the interim heavyweight title in November 2023 with a blistering 69-second KO of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden.

And he retained it in a similarly brutal fashion last July with a 60-second demolition of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in Manchester.

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Jon Jones retained his heavyweight title at UFC 309 with a stunning stoppage of Stipe Miocic[/caption]

AN ICONIC department store with a history spanning over 200 years has closed its doors for the final time today.

Jolly’s of Bath, one of Europe‘s oldest and most cherished department stores, operated by the Frasers Group, has drawn its shutters for the last time, marking the end of an era.

The store first opened its doors as a seasonal shop in 1823, establishing itself as a cornerstone of Bath’s high street.

It was later acquired by House of Fraser in 1970, becoming part of the iconic retail chain.

The announcement of its closure was made in December 2024, prompting a significant closing-down sale in the months that followed.

Heartbroken locals have taken to social media to express their sadness over the loss of this beloved institution, which has been a fixture of the city for over two centuries.

One person said on Facebook: “My Aunty Betty worked [there] when I was a young women.”

“Now 60. It was a beautiful, stylish building. Harrods in Bath.

“What a terrible shame. Bath will not be the same.”

Another said: “Heartbreaking, actually really sad.”

A statement from Bath and North East Somerset Council, who own the building, previously said: “House of Fraser went into administration in August 2018 and since then the council has been working hard to ensure a secure future for this flagship store at the heart of the Milsom Quarter

“A significant element of the plan is to make Jolly’s once again the anchor store for Milsom Street, and a programme of works, which are already underway, will see significant investment in the building over the coming months.

“While plans are at an advanced stage with a third-party occupier, the council is not in a position to make a formal statement at this time in relation to its proposals for the future of one of Bath’s most important department stores.”

This development comes as the owners of the Jolly’s brand, Frasers Group, embark on a major overhaul of their House of Fraser stores, with plans to either close or repurpose many of them.

House of Fraser was rescued from collapse in 2018 by billionaire businessman Mike Ashley.

While his intervention saved the chain’s 59 stores and safeguarded 17,000 jobs that were under threat, the years since have seen a steady decline in the number of locations.

Today, only 28 House of Fraser department stores remain, with the recent closure of the Bluewater branch reducing this number even further.

In recent months, the chain has bid farewell to several of its outlets. The store in Bristol’s Cabot Circus shopping centre closed its doors in August, while branches in Birmingham, Cardiff, and Guildford have also been shuttered, with closing-down signs adorning their windows.

Other shops leaving the high street

Beales, one of Britain’s oldest department stores, has launched a closing down sale before it shuts its last remaining shop after more than 140 years.

The company will shut its branch in Poole’s Dolphin Centre on May 31.

The sale includes fashion, furniture, gifts and cosmetics, being sold for up to 70% off.

Beales chief executive Tony Brown blamed the “devastating impact” of the rise in national insurance contributions and the higher minimum wage for the store closure.

Meanwhile, high street fashion chain New Look has begun to close stores as it scales back its UK footprint.

It is understood to be shutting nearly 100 stores – equivalent to around a quarter of its 364 shops.

Stores in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, St Austell, Cornwall and Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf have launched closing down sales.

Reports suggest that the company has been forced to accelerate the pace of store closures due to tax changes in the Autumn Budget.

Meanwhile, Huttons in London will shut its store in the Putney Exchange due to excessive energy costs.

The gift shop became a local icon after it opened in the 1990s.

UDINESE star Lorenzo Lucca caused chaos and enraged his team-mates last night by insisting on taking a penalty over their designated taker.

And despite converting the first-half spot kick, Lucca was IMMEDIATELY hooked by his manager.

Serie A

Lorenzo Lucca was determined to take Udinese’s penalty[/caption]

Serie A

Lucca’s stubbornness prompted a frustrated reaction[/caption]

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The striker was booked during the incident[/caption]

The Italian side were taking on Lecce in Serie A.

When they were awarded a penalty shortly after the half hour, a bizarre scene followed.

Captain and designated taker Florian Thauvin was ready to take the spot kick.

But Lucca, 24, refused to give the French World Cup winner the ball.

Several of his team-mates, including former Manchester United and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, angrily pleaded with Lucca to back down.

The striker did not, however, and was even booked during the unusual incident.

When his team-mates finally relented, Lucca made no mistake in converting the penalty.

But his colleagues, still fuming, refused to celebrate with him.

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Splash

Lucca, 24, went on to convert the penalty[/caption]

Rex

The Italy international was substituted just minutes later[/caption]

Manager Kosta Runjaic then hooked Lucca off just moments after he converted and replaced him with Iker Bravo.

The forward looked miffed as he exited the pitch.

And after Udinese’s eventual 1-0 win, he could be seen not smiling as the team took a celebratory picture together.

After the match, Runjaic told DAZN: “We have clear hierarchies with penalty kicks.

“I didn’t like the discussion, they were talking for a long time, he made the decision independently and I preferred to take him off the pitch after he took the penalty anyway, which he shot very well.

“It is also not the first time that two players on a team have argued over who gets to take a set-piece. We will definitely talk about this during the week.

“I made this choice because I don’t like those who don’t respect the rules, so I had to take measures. However, this will all be solved in training and we will focus on our next match.”

Lucca, who was capped by Italy for the first time last year, has taken six penalties across his senior career, scoring three and missing three.

Thauvin, meanwhile, has scored 13 spot kicks, missing six.

X @Udinese_1896

Lucca, in the middle of the photo at the back, did not smile for a celebratory post-match picture[/caption]

SKIING has always been known as the snow sport that you need to save for.

Costs of flights, accommodation, ski hire, ski pass and buckets full of raclette and wine soon add up.

But there is a way to make your alpine trip a whole lot cheaper, without skimping on the Apres style.

With cheaper European ski resorts like Borovets in Bulgaria becoming increasingly popular with Brit travellers, ski holidays are becoming more affordable.

And the high street is reacting too, with fashion giants like Zara, H&M and ASOS all launching extremely stylish ski ranges this winter – and at prices .

While kitting yourself out in ski-wear from traditional Alpine active-wear stores can cost upwards of £500 for the full kit, it’s now much easier to get hold of stylish and practical pieces for much less than £100.

Starting from the bottom up, the right ski socks are key for ultimate comfort. Bearing in mind you’ll be wearing ski boots for most of the day, you want something warm and padded.

H&M’s Drymove ski socks at £12.99 are a great bet.

It’s worth getting at least one pair from a proper sports shop and FALKE have some amazing offers at the moment, like the SK4 advanced socks which are £26.60.

Next up it’s thermals. You want light weight and breathable, like the Peter Storm thermal pants, £19, from Go Outdoors.

And as someone who is always running cold, I recommend taking a few options. I wear these M&S Heatgen thermal fleeces most of the winter and they are great for skiing too.

I also loved the sustainable slim fit base layer tops from BAM. The Jazzy prints are perfect for a sunny apres session and the fabric is as soft as a babygro.  

Next up, salopettes –  or ski trousers, to the non-skier. 

Known for not being the most flattering part of your ski wardrobe, salopettes can be hard to want to spend money on.

But having tried on a LOT of different brands, I can guarantee you won’t find a nicer fit than these Vista Salopettes from TOG24. 

I was amazed at how nice the fit of these was. They aren’t bulky at all and they are extremely easy to move in, which is useful for me as I do have multiple falls most days when skiing.

At £77, they are an absolute bargain. 

TOG24’s ski jackets are also amazing quality and some of the nicer colours I’ve seen.

You won’t find a better option that the Panorama jacket, £105, which looks even better with their APRES bobble hat, £18.

Your ski jacket is arguably the most important bit of kit you need for the slopes. 

For me the number one priority – probably quite obviously – is that it’s warm and waterproof.

While rain on the slopes has been pretty rare in my experience, falling over, as mentioned, has not. 

The Baleen Ellesse jacket is a great option – and a steal at £100.

As well as looking chic and stylish, the jacket has a detachable powder skirt and a goggle pocket with attached cleaning cloth.

Another key thing to look for is an easy-access ski pass pocket – the last thing you want to be doing is fiddling around taking your gloves off in -1c to get it out.

If you’re looking for an even cheaper option, Decathlon’s Ski Jacket 500 is a stylist fit and comes in a range of colours for £89.99.

The best budget option I found was the Mountain Warehouse Moon II jacket which is only £39 and comes in an array of colours to help you stand out on the slopes.

Speaking of gloves, there is nothing more essential for when you start speeding down those runs than making sure you can still feel your fingers…

Decathlon have a great range of cheap gloves that are guaranteed to keep you warm even in extreme white outs.

A neck warmer is also essential. 

Roxy, the women’s sportswear brand, have perhaps the best one at just £21. It’s the kind of thing you’ll wear all winter in the UK, as well as it being a key component of your ski kit.

Another way to save money is to buy a ski accessories bundle. Mountain Warehouse – who know what they are doing when it comes to keeping warm in the mountains – have a great three piece set of hat, ski scarf and gloves for just £19.99.

Another way to cut costs on clothes is by buying an all in one. While you’ll still need the base layers, a Zara and H&M have some amazingly stylish one pieces that will have you looking flyer than Kendall Jenner on the slopes.

Their skisuit is a steal at only £119, and it has all the technical stuff you need, like being windproof and water resistant. It’s also got a lovely fleecy lining to keep you snug.

Lastly, ski goggles. I only once made the mistake of not taking them and immediately had to spend several hundred pounds on a pair in the resort as I was unable to see.

My favourite are the Rosewood Snowboard Goggles from Roxy, which are on offer for £105 at present, but if you want something cheaper, H&M’s snow sunglasses are a great buy for £14.99.

Are any of them near you?