Downfall of Russell & Bromley as iconic model may disappear from UK excessive avenue solely

Despite 140 years of history, the iconic shoe and handbag retailer’s future hangs in the balance as fellow British staple Next looks to rip the business into several piefces

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For many Daily Star readers over the age of around 50 or older, the name Russell & Bromley is synonymous with the UK’s high street – and it has been for more than 145 years.

At its peak, the once-family owned brand had around 43 stand-alone stores, selling shoes at all price points across the country. It was, at one stage, the go to place for anyone wanting shoes – including celebrities and high profile Royals such as Kate Middleton, Queen Camilla and even Meghan Markle.

But now its future is up in the air with retail giant Next working with advisory firm Retail Realisation on pursuing the shoe and bag retailer, which now only has 37 stores across the UK.

However it has been claimed by experts that the brand could be broken up, with Next only wanting the name and website, and disappear from the high street entirely – especially after failing to hit a profit since 2019.

But how did we get to this point? Well, the Daily Star has taken a look at the history of the brand . . .

Humble beginnings

Russell & Bromley started as a classic Victorian family merger. The “Russell” side began in 1820 with a shoemaker named John Clifford Russell in Lewes. However, the brand we know today was really born from a 1873 marriage: George Bromley, an employee at the firm, married the boss’s daughter, Elizabeth Russell.

By 1880, they officially put both names above a shop door in Eastbourne. For the next century, the family focused on quality and slow, steady growth across the south of England. A major turning point came in 1947 when they opened on London’s Bond Street, successfully pivoting from a traditional family cobbler to a high-end fashion staple.

Even today, it remains a rare beast on the British high street—a massive brand that stayed in family hands for five generations.

Celebs and Royal fans

The brand’s biggest “celebrity” endorsement is the British Royal Family – specifically the Princess of Wales. Kate Middleton has worn their shoes for over a decade, famously popularising the “Xpresso” flats and “100Point” pumps.

Queen Camilla and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, are also frequent customers, often spotted in the brand’s signature “Dressage” knee-high boots.

Historically, the company avoided flashy ambassadors, but they recently shifted gears. In late 2025, they named actress Billie Piper as their first-ever celebrity face. She fronted a major campaign designed to give the 150-year-old brand a cooler, “rebellious” edge to attract younger shoppers.

Other high-profile fans include Jenna Coleman and Meghan Markle, who used the brand frequently during her time in the UK.

The downfall

The downfall really started off around 2017, when profits tanked by over 50%. While they were still a status symbol, the shift to casual trainers and online shopping hit them hard.

The pandemic was the final straw. Since people weren’t buying “occasion” shoes or work heels – because nobody was going out or, you know, working – they haven’t made a profit since 2019. Despite a bit of a reboot attempt in 2025 using to look younger and cooler, the debt became too much.

Andrew Bromley – CEO and 5th-generation family member – tried to remain optimistic as recently as October, 2025: “Since the announcement of the ‘Re Boot’ earlier this year, we have made significant progress, positioning us well to build on our momentum.

“We are looking forward to working with our advisory team to secure the necessary investment to accelerate our expansion plans.”

However, with Next circling, it could see the end of the once-iconic brand for good.

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