The retail landscape of Harrogate’s James Street could be set for change, as industry reports link chain store Next to two troubled high street businesses.

Shoe shop Russell & Bromley, whose James Street shop is one of 37 around the country, could disappear altogether, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

The 150-year-old family-run business is believed to be at risk of a joint takeover by Next and liquidation specialist Retail Realisation. 

Retail Realisation would dispose of the stock and close the stores, but any buyer would not be permitted to carry on using the Russell & Bromley name. That is because Next would take on the brand and intellectual property.

Next’s proposal is understood to be one of a number being considered by Russell & Bromley’s advisers, Interpath, which also handled the administration of Bodycare in September 2025.

Meanwhile, Next is also believed to be considering a takeover of LK Bennett, the distressed womenswear business that has a shop on James Street.

That store is one of nine in England – the others are in York, Chester and dotted around the South East – and it also has 13 concessions, two of them in the Wilmslow and Tunbridge Wells branches of department store Hoopers, another big James Street name.

Next reported strong financial results for the second half of 2025, with significant increases in both sales and profits.

The Stray Ferret has approached Next and Russell & Bromley for comment.