A clothing brand is set to shut its store in a popular UK city in another blow to the country’s falling high street. Scamp and Dude, located in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, said that they “cannot match” the rising rents.

Opened in September 2023, the said the “time has come” to hand the space back. They confirmed that a “large food chain” would be moving in, reports Edinburgh Live. The clothing brand was launched back in 2016 by Jo Tutchener-Sharp after she was recovering from brain surgery and was missing her children.

She aimed to create a clothing line “with superpowers” to boost children’s confidence when they were away from their loved ones. The line later grew into a fashion brand for women and children.

A spokesperson for the brand told Edinburgh Live: “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, our Edinburgh store will permanently close on May 11.

“The unit was generously provided to us by the landlord at a reduced rent, enabling us to afford such a fantastic space but sadly the time has come to hand it back, as a large food chain will be taking over the unit at a rent we simply cannot match.

“The store in Edinburgh and our wonderful team there, has been an incredible showcase for our brand to our Scottish audience, and we have loved every minute of it.

“Our search continues for a new home in Scotland, and we hope to return sometime soon. Until then our online store will look after our Scottish customers and our stores in Marlow, Battersea, Brighton and Cambridge will be there to welcome everyone.”

According to the owners, they will continue looking for a new home in Scotland and hope to return “soon” as they close the doors on the Edinburgh store.

They added that the team has been “wonderful”, and they’ve “loved every minute”.

However, there has been no confirmation about the food chain that’s likely to move in.