Dragons’ Den investor Touker Suleyman has emerged as one of the leading contenders to acquire the UK arm of Claire’s out of administration, with a proposal understood to preserve the Birmingham head office and a significant proportion of the store estate.
The bid is being weighed against rival interest from Modella Capital and Doug Putman, the Sunrise Records owner who rescued HMV in 2019.
Claire’s entered administration on 13 August 2025, placing 2,150 jobs and 306 stores (278 in the UK, 28 in Ireland) at risk. Interpath Advisory is keeping shops open while a buyer is sought, though online sales have been suspended during the process.
Modella Capital, which has tabled an offer for Claire’s UK according to Sky News, has been one of the most active retail investors of the past two years. It bought Hobbycraft from Bridgepoint in 2024 and this year acquired WH Smith’s UK high‑street business, now being rebranded TG Jones.
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