The wettest February on record did not dampen Britons’ appetite for new spring outfits as retail sales boosted the UK economy.

Analysts predicted a 0.3 percent fall in high street spending in February, but official figures show this remained the same.

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It gives experts confidence that Britain has been lifted out of recession. Official GDP figures show that the economy has been driven by retail sales so far this year.

Rob Wood of Pantheon Macroeconomics predicted that retail sales would continue to grow strongly in the first three months of the year, “helping the economy emerge from last year’s recession.”

It comes at a time when data from GfK shows that consumer confidence has turned positive for the first time in more than two years. Household disposable incomes are finally rising as wages rise in tandem with food price inflation energy accounts fall.

Deloitte’s Oliver Vernon-Harcourt said: “Better days are ahead as the short-lived and shallow recession is behind us and inflation is at its lowest level in two years.

“The high street can be hopeful that lower prices will support higher spending and footfall.”

The office Good performance by clothing stores and department stores has offset declining food and fuel sales, according to National Statistics.

Heather Bovill of the ONS said clothing growth was “recovering after recent declines as people invested in new season collections”.

Much of the spending was done online, with a 2.1 percent increase in internet spending in February.

Voda investigated

Vodafone and Three’s £15bn merger threatens to drive up prices for users, competition and competition Markets Authority watchdog has warned.

The regulator is preparing a six-month investigation into the deal, which involves 27 million customers. The companies say it will help them compete with BT and Virgin Media O2.

Aston in Raid

Aston Martin has poached the boss of rival Bentley as its fourth CEO in four years.

An hour after Bentley announced it Adrian Hallmark’s departure “by mutual consent”, Aston Martin welcomed him as its new leader.

Bentley had increased its profits tenfold under Mr. Hallmark.

Good week

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Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson after announcing huge profits and the best prospects for the retailer in seven years.

Bad week

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DFS boss Tim Stacey warned of lower profits as people were reluctant to buy banks.

SHOPPERS are devastated after learning that a 240-branch retail chain is looking to close another store.

Game will close its store in Saint Marks Place, Newark, next month.

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The store will permanently stop its activities on Sunday, April 7.

Megan Sheldon, the assistant manager of the Newark store, told the Newark Advertiser: “I know a lot of people in Newark who love this store, and we absolutely love it too.

“It’s a huge loss for Newark and hopefully something happens in the future and we can get another game here.

“It’s definitely a huge loss for Newark. It’s such a great community and we have a lot of regular customers who love this store as much as we do.”

The store manager, Samantha Woods, said the store is closing following a higher order, which cannot be made public.

In light of the news, the store has launched a closing sale, with most products in the store now discounted by 20%.

Frasers Group, which owns the Game brand, has been contacted for comment.

Shoppers have reacted with devastation to the news on social media.

One person said on Facebook: “Hello, my son went there yesterday and in a month it will be closed. Shame to see it disappear.”

“What a huge loss,” said another customer.

A third said: “It always went to when they announced they wouldn’t trade up

“Unfortunately, game stores will close because they focus too much on new and not secondhand.”

Game has closed several branches in recent months, including those in Wales and Oxfordshire.

Meanwhile, two closed last year in Plymouth and Cambridge.

Below is a full list of game stores that have closed in recent months:

• Nuneaton, Warwickshire – November 10, 2023
• Newport, Wales – October 18, 2023
• Exeter, Devon, Guildhall shopping center – January (moved to Sports Direct on Rydon Lane)
• Witney, Oxfordshire – January 7
• Rugby, Warwickshire – January 7
• Huntington, Cambridgeshire – January 14
• Rhyl, Wales – February 4
• Plymouth, Devon – February 6
• Newton Abbot, Devon – March 17
• Grimsby, Lincolnshire – March 17

Game is also closing its store in the Union Square Shopping Center in Torquay, Devon.

The retailer was bought by billionaire businessman Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group in 2019 as part of a £52 million deal.

But by January 2020 it had announced plans to close 40 of its more than 300 stores in the UK.

There are currently more than 240 Game stores nationwide.

House of Fraser, which is also owned by Frasers Group, has also closed a number of stores.

The once iconic department store was saved from destruction by Mike Ashley in 2018.

But while the deal saved the chain’s 59 stores and the 17,000 employees who were dealing with the fallout from the crisis, many more stores have closed in recent years and only 28 department stores remain.

A series of stores were closed in 2023, including in Birmingham, Cardiff and Guildford.

What else is happening to Frasers Group chains?

It’s not just House of Fraser and Game stores that are closing, other Frasers Group chains have also reduced their store numbers.

A Sports Direct branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, will pull down its shutters for good at the end of March.

Sports Direct also closed its branch in Central Six Retail Park, Coventry, at the end of January.

The Flannels location in the Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton, has downed its shutters for the final time in the new year.

It also closed its site in Bradford in January, despite only opening in October.

Designer clothing chain Choice has downed the shutters of one of its stores in Bromley.

Frasers Group acquired Base Childrenswear and Kids Cavern as part of a £47.5 million deal in December 2022.

But the retail group brought in administrators for both Base Childrenswear and Kids Cavern just 16 months later.

Earlier this month, the luxury brand Matchesfashion was also placed under administration.

It’s not all bad news, though, as the company has recently opened several sites.

Frasers Group has already started opening ‘new concept’ stores.

The concept stores include various Frasers brands such as Sports Direct, Flannels and beauty halls, as well as products from USC, Jack Wills and GAME.

In September it cut the ribbon on the latest of its new department stores with popular brands such as Sports Direct and Game in Norwich.

There are plans to open two more locations in Blackpool and Sheffield.

The group also announced it will take over the former John Lewis site in the Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough.

A new sportswear store is opening in The Precinct in Coventry.

The company has acquired Compton House on Liverpool’s famous Church Street and is about to open a flagship Sports Direct.

What else is happening on the shopping street?

Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, with shoppers cutting back on spending due to the rising cost of living.

High energy costs and the switch to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking their toll and many stores on the high streets are struggling to continue.

The high street has seen a slew of closures in the past year and more are in the pipeline.

Several major brands have gone bankrupt in 2023, including Wilko and Paperchase.

The Lidl news comes just weeks after The Body Shop fell into administration.

Then last week it announced it would close nearly half of its 198 stores.

Seven branches have closed with immediate effect, including branches in Surrey Quays and Oxford Street, London.

Beginning of February, Hobbycrafts owner, Bridgepoint, is said to be exploring “strategic options” for the company.

These options could include the retailer being auctioned off.

In January, struggling fashion brand Superdry said it was looking at several “cost-cutting options” after reporting it was considering a major restructuring including store closures and job cuts.

Together with advisors from PwC, we worked on a plan that could lead to a CVA or another form of restructuring.

Such a move could result in store closures and potentially force rent reductions from landlords.

A HIGH street retailer with more than 450 stores has issued an update on branch closures, but shoppers don’t have to worry just yet.

Next revealed the plans in its annual results – an update on its financial position and activities – which were released today.

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To boost shoppers, Next revealed it will cut prices by 2% due to lower purchasing costs for clothing and goods.

It says price tags will fall by a further 0.5% in the six months to January.

The high street giant currently has 458 stores, including its main Next stores and clearance stores.

Next now has eight stores fewer than in January 2023, after the closure of twelve major stores.

Shops in Newcastle, Hertfordshire and Derry, Northern Ireland, have all closed in the past year.

But it’s not all bad news for shoppers, because Next opened four new outlet stores in the same period.

Next Outlets are not like normal Next stores.

They offer a selection of outlet products, past season collections and sale items at discounted prices that you won’t find anywhere else.

In the results, Next also provided an update on its plans for stores.

It said: “While we will continue to open and close a small number of stores, we do not expect any material net change to our retail sales space over the coming year.”

This means that while stores may close and new ones open in the coming year, the retailer expects its overall store numbers to remain roughly the same.

Julie Palmer, partner at business recovery specialist Begbies Traynor, said: “Last year was another impressive year for Next as it bucked the trend and delivered record results.

“These results show how the retailer continues to be at the top and leading the way in a sector where so many have struggled recently.”

While Charlie Huggins, from investment service Wealth Club, said Next has managed to emerge strongly at a turbulent time for the high street.

Retailers have been hit by higher energy prices, pressure on consumer finances and borrowing costs.

Charlie added: “Several other retailers have struggled, and some, like Wilko’s, have been consigned to the history books.

“Next’s core proposition clearly resonates with British consumers and is arguably stronger than ever.”

In last year’s results, Next revealed plans to close 11 stores.

Six of the stores were not expected to achieve their target margins, while two involved site redevelopment.

The remaining three have been closed because no agreement could be reached with the landlord of the site.

What else is happening on the shopping street?

Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic and many are struggling to stay afloat.

High energy costs and rents mean that many large companies are starting to slim down the number of high street stores they operate.

We’ve seen several big losses in the last twelve months, including popular discounter Wilko and stationary brand Paperchase.

More recently, health and beauty chain The Body Shop has gone bankrupt and announced the closure of many of its 200 stores.

Other retailers such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan have reduced the number of stores on the high street.

This month, Boots announced it will close a total of nine locations, as part of its wider plans to lose 300 locations.

These closures will reduce the retailer’s total number of stores from 2,200 to 1,900.

Marks and Spencer is another retailer that has made changes to its store portfolio.

In 2022, M&S announced it would close 67 “lower productivity” stores as part of the 110 stores it had already earmarked for closure.

It wasn’t all bad news for M&S shoppers, though, with some stores closing, others opening in new locations.

We have the full list of chains opening stores in 2024. See if one is coming to a shopping street near you.

Is it all bad news?

The answer to that is no. Some retailers are expanding despite difficult market conditions.

Primark recently confirmed plans to open new branches and invest and renovate more than a dozen existing stores.

Meanwhile, Asda is massively expanding its portfolio of smaller Express stores, with plans to open 110 new stores.

Popular discounter B&M also said it plans to open 17 new locations by 2024, some of which will open soon.

Also earlier this year, WHSmith confirmed it would open 15 new stores, but these would not be located on the high street.

We have the full list of chains opening stores in 2024. See if one is coming to a shopping street near you.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

Shoppers are devastated after a retail giant with 1,400 branches will close its doors for good in weeks.

The retail giant has confirmed the impending closure of one of its stores in Berkshire.

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WHSmith announced it is rolling down the shutters of the store on the busy high street in Slough for the final time.

Next to the post office, the store is emptied of stationery and books.

The local population will now have to take their baskets and letters elsewhere.

With more than 1,400 branches across the country, the retailer has left locals mourning the loss of a Slough staple.

The staff will close their doors for the last time on Saturday, May 11.

Bosses said the decision follows the end of the unit’s leasing and financial challenges.

A spokesperson for WHSmith said: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Slough will close on Saturday 11 May.

“It is no longer sustainable to continue trading from this location and the decision has been made to close the store due to the impending lease.

“We are disappointed to lose our presence at this location and would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.

“We are also extremely grateful for the efforts of our colleagues in the stores, who we will support in this transition and redeploy to nearby stores where possible.”

However, the measure has led to a wave of dissatisfaction among the local population, who are already struggling with a ‘ghostly’ shopping street.

Shoppers said the move represents a significant blow to their city.

Taking to Facebook, one shopper said: “Are there any real shops left on Slough High Street?”

Another said: ‘If another good shop goes the high street might as well be closed, it’s not worth staying open. What a sad thing.’

A third fumed: “They keep saying they are going to transform the high street but nothing is happening.”

Others expressed their sadness and frustrations.

A local resident said: “I am shocked to hear that WH Smith is closing.”

Another added: “Not another worthwhile store. Such a shame for the town and residents.”

A third wrote: “Another nail in the coffin for Slough.”

The retailer has 600 high street stores, along with more than 800 travel stores in airports, train stations, hospitals, workplaces and along highways.

Earlier this month, as part of its preliminary results, the chain announced it would close 22 stores to focus on finding better quality space.

In June, WHSmith’s boss Carl Cowling said it had no plans to open any more British high street stores.

Instead, it is focusing its efforts on British airports and train stations, and also wants to expand in the US and Europe, he said.

SHOPPERS were saddened to see a much-loved retail brand have to close for good today.

It was a blow for entertainment fans to see their GAME branch in Grimsby pull down its shutters for the final time.

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The retailer shocked loyal customers with their announcement in February, which was closely followed by a huge ‘everything must go’ sale.

Disappointed shoppers rushed to take advantage of the 20 per cent discounts before waving goodbye to the popular branch this morning.

A spokesperson for Frasers Group, which owns GAME, said: “It is with regret that we announce that GAME Rhyl will close in the spring.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our employees for their hard work and dedication.

“Where possible, we are committed to finding new roles within the Group for staff.”

It comes after the GAME store closed shop in 2018 but was bailed out months later, as reported by Grimsby Live.

Unfortunately, several branches have bitten the dust in recent months, including those in Exeter, Witney and Huntingdon.

Meanwhile, two closed last year in Plymouth and Cambridge.

The Frasers Group also owns Sports Direct, a brand that has similarly seen a series of closures.

A branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, will pull down the shutters for good at the end of March.

The sports retailer, which has more than 500 stores in Britain, also closed a store in the Orbital Shopping Park in Swindon at the beginning of this year.

The company previously closed a store in Coventry’s Central Six Retail Park in October last year, and one in Blackpool the following month.

Meanwhile, Sports Direct-owned Sports Direct Fitness closed its Salisbury location for good on December 11, much to the shock of members.

It comes as thousands of high street stores have said goodbye amid an epidemic of closures across the UK.

Even industry giants have fallen victim in recent months.

British retailers saw the amount of goods sold fall last month, at the fastest pace in three years.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, compared to a rise of 1.4% a month earlier.

Body Shop bosses recently called in administrators with a “significant number” of jobs and stores at risk as the brand looks set to enter an insolvency process.

Meanwhile, popular beauty retailer Boots has also sadly announced it will close 300 stores this year, following several closures in 2023.

And discount store Lidl has also seen a large number of locations close.

The full list, of 1,168 locations, includes locations in all parts of Great Britain, including: 66 in Scotland, 83 in Yorkshire, 83 in central England, 91 in south London and 42 in south-mid Wales.

Bargain hunters were also devastated to hear that discount retailer B&M was closing another store.

Meanwhile, Argos, Next, Jack Wills and Poundland have all announced they will permanently close selected branches this year.

It follows rising costs of living, rising energy bills and even some businesses continuing to feel the knock-on effect of the pandemic.

Shoppers have been forced to cut back, while the costs of running stores have also risen.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) this summer showed that Britain had lost 6,000 stores in a five-year period.

FRUIT & Nut chocolate bars costing just £1.35 are stocked in lockers at Co-op branches.

The treats became the latest everyday item to be protected from thieves during the shoplifting epidemic.

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Cadbury’s other favourite, Dairy Milk Caramel, has also been locked down.

Cooperatives in posh Cambridge and parts of London have put them in plastic boxes with tags.

Matthew Moore, who was browsing the shelves in London, said: “It’s extraordinary. I stopped and stared, thinking maybe there was something special about the chocolate.

“What’s next? A Freddo with a 25 cent security tag?

Readers have also seen instant coffee, butter, shortbread and oven chips with security labels in stores across the country.

A Co-op spokesperson said: “The safety of our staff is a top priority and security matters are part of a range of preventive measures to deter thieves.

“Retail crime is caused by repeat and frequent offenders and is often a focal point for abuse and attacks on retail staff.

“Products in security cases are usually high-value items, but other goods can be secured if there is a local problem.”

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SHOPPERS are devastated following the news that a much-loved retail chain will close after 20 years.

The store’s staff announced the closure to customers, but no official closing date was shared.

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The demise of Shoezone in Dundee has caused heartbreak among locals and they have taken to social media in droves to share their grief.

One person said: “How sad. It’s been a shoe store all my life,” while another added: “Shoezone was all we had left.”

A third expressed concern about the future of the city writes: “It will soon become a ghost town.”

A fourth agreed: “There will be nothing left but coffee shops,” they said.

Fears are now growing for the remaining nine stores in Scotland, including the Glenrothes outlet.

One customer said staff assured shoppers that Shoezone would remain online and continue to operate branches in England.

He told The Courier Evening Telegraph: “I feel sorry for the staff.

“The banners for the closing sale appeared on Friday. Some of the staff were angry.

“It’s been there for a while; at least 20 years, but I think it’s considerably longer than that.

“I feared for the store during the height of the pandemic.

“The staff said we could still use vouchers and shop online.”

It comes as the closure of the Argos Dundee branch, located in the Overgate shopping centre, was announced last month after more than two decades of serving loyal customers.

According to the shopping center manager, the company’s managers have decided not to renew their lease, and the blow is just one example of British fears that high street shopping is coming to an end.

A spokesperson said this at the time The Courier: “We are currently in discussions with our colleagues at our Dundee Overgate Argos store.

‘We have made the difficult decision to close it and are supporting them in every way we can.

“This includes exploring opportunities for colleagues to be redeployed within Argos and Sainsbury’s.”

SHOPPERS have said “another one is biting the dust” as a 240-branch retail chain plans to close a store for good.

Game’s branch in Newton Abbot, Devon, will close its doors permanently in less than two weeks.

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There are already signs in the window that say “all stock must go” and that the store is closing for good.

It is believed the Market Walk store will close for the final time on March 17.

The news was posted on a Facebook page dedicated to the city and fans were not happy with the move.

One commenter wrote: “Another bites the dust on market walks.

Another said: “My old shop. A bit of a shame, but I saw it coming from a mile away.”

A third person said: “This is such a shame for our city.”

The move comes after the Frasers Group-owned games retailer closed its city center branch in Exeter at the end of January and later moved it elsewhere in the city.

The original location for the Game outlet in Exeter, in the Guildhall Shopping Centre, will be taken over by health food retailer Grape Tree, which will open later this month.

A branch of Game has now opened in the city’s Rydon Lane Retail Park.

Game is also closing its Grimsby branch this month.

Game also closed two other branches in January, along with its main store in Exeter.

One in Witney closed on January 7, while one in Huntingdon closed a week later.

Three Game branches had previously closed in Plymouth, Cambridge and Newport, Wales.

However, the Newport branch reopened just two days later in a nearby Sports Direct unit.

But it’s not all bad news for the group, as the company has also started opening new ‘concept stores’ as it looks to shake up its portfolio.

The first of its kind, featuring popular brands such as Sports Direct and Game, opened in Norwich in September.

Two others opened later in Blackpool and Sheffield.

The Frasers Group also recently acquired luxury clothing retailer Matches Fashion in a deal worth £52 million.

The battle in the Hoogstraat

It comes at a time when the cost of living crisis, high inflation and rising energy costs are forcing retailers to close their outlets.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show that Britain has lost 6,000 stores in five years.

Numerous The big brands have ended up in administration in the past twelve months, including major discounter Wilko.

But it has since returned to the high street under The Range’s ownership, and Wilko brand items are stocked in The Range stores.

Both M&Co And Joule are among the well-known brands that went bankrupt in 2022.

Paperchase subsequently collapsed into administration at the end of January last year and all 106 stores later closed for good.

Stores including Next, Boots, The Entertainer, Iceland, Clarks and WHSmith have also suffered.

And Argos, Next, Jack Wills and Poundland have announced they will all permanently close selected branches this year.

In the latest blow, famed cosmetics group The Body Shop has admitted it is set to close up to 200 stores in the UK as the retailer enters administration.

We’ve made a list of all the Body Shop stores at risk of closing.

British retailers saw the amount of goods sold fall last month, at the fastest pace in three years, as under-pressure households moved some of their Christmas shopping to earlier this year.

Sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, Office for National Statistics data showed, compared with a 1.4% increase a month earlier.

Several major chains are pulling down the shutters for the last time this month.

The trade association’s chief executive, Helen Dickinson OBE, blamed the closures on “crippling” business rates and the impact of coronavirus lockdowns.

The good news

Fortunately, some stores are bucking the trend and opening new locations.

Primark said it will open five new stores, and there will be one in a few weeks.

B&M will open six new locations in early 2024, also in former Wilko stores that it has taken over.

Beauty retailer Sephora is opening its third location in Manchester this year.

Another skincare and makeup icon, Avon, plans to open stores in Britain for the first time in its more than 100-year history.

Costco plans to open 14 new locations in Britain over the next two years, while Greggs will add 160 locations this year.

See the full list of shops opening on the high street in our roundup.

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Shoppers are devastated after a major retailer closed another local branch.

Major health and beauty retailer Boots announced last year that it plans to close 300 branches for good.

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Today the chain will be pulling down the shutters on their North Kenton branch.

Locals in the area have expressed concern over the loss of the store, with one resident forced to start a petition against the closure – which was backed by almost 800 residents

Chi Onwurah, 58, Labor MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, has revealed she is worried about her constituents during the store’s closure.

“I am writing to you with great concern following the recent news that 300 Boots stores will close,” she wrote in a letter to Boots bosses.

The MP expressed the community’s reliance on the pharmacy and explained how the closure would make things difficult for North Kenton residents.

This closure will disproportionately impact elderly and disabled residents who rely on the pharmacy.

Chi Onwurah

The MP explained: “If this planned closure goes ahead, the nearest pharmacies for North Kenton residents will be more than a mile away.

“Many who rely on pharmacies today will find it difficult to walk that far and transport costs are high, especially at a time of cost of living crisis.”

Many area residents relied on this store for their prescriptions and other medical supplies.

Now, North Kenton residents are concerned about how and where they will get their medications, while other pharmacies are further away.

Just three weeks ago, Boots staff at the North Kenton branch told the MP that “they were still giving out over 100 prescriptions”, which shows how important the branch is, she claims.

Onwurah added: “This closure will disproportionately impact elderly and disabled residents who rely on the pharmacy. They will face extreme fears and difficult decisions about how to obtain medicines essential to their health.”

A response on behalf of managing director Sebastian James was sent to the MP, detailing the health and beauty chain’s regret over the closure of the store, but saying it will still close “as planned”.

The branch could no longer operate after the major retailer reviewed all “relevant financial and real estate information”, they claim.

They added: “We are grateful to you for sharing your constituent feedback and I absolutely recognize the strength of feeling in the local community about the pharmacy closure.”

Boots is working with other local GPs in the area to “support patients” and transfer their medical needs to “alternative pharmacies”, according to their letter.

There are two other Boots stores within 1.5 miles of the North Kenton branch, with the chain “asking locals to travel further to visit nearby branches”.

Boots offers an NHS prescription delivery service available to “customers who sign up to use the Boots Online Prescriptions Service”.

Which other Boots stores are closing?

It comes after the major health and beauty retailer announced its plans to close 300 branches this year.

Boots has already closed six pharmacies by 2024, including the branch in Wigan, Bryn and the store in Cliftonville, Margate.

The closures will reduce the number of high street stores in the UK to 1,900.

More locations are predicted to close in 2024, although in many cases the dates could not be confirmed.

Just days after announcing that he will be participating in the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival, John Mellencamp He spent part of his Friday with girlfriend Kristin Kehrberg.

The couple, who have been an item for about a year, have been indulging in retail therapy at Courrèges on Grand Street in Downtown Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood.

Seemingly on a mission to find that perfect piece, the multi-millionaire socialite, 57, was spotted with the acclaimed rocker, 72, a few pieces on the rack.

On this day, the Hurts So Good singer-songwriter stepped out in black pants with a matching jacket over a black button-down and a white t-shirt and sneakers.

His almost completely gray hair was styled in a pseudo-pompadour, pushed off his face, as he has done for years, and over his ears.

At one point, while his lady was still at the boutique, Mellencamp stepped outside to smoke a cigarette under the bright sun, on a day with temperatures in the low 40s Fahrenheit.

Eventually, the Jack & Dianne star went back inside to check on Kehrberg, who then showed him a few items on the sale rack.

The pair attempted to strike up a conversation about at least one of the clothing items, and moments later left the store with Kehrberg carrying a brown shopping bag.

The socialite is the widow of Shelter Island advertising guru Richard “Dick” Tarlow, who died in May 2022 at the age of 81, according to Page six.

She started dating Mellencamp in early 2023, but they wouldn’t be seen in public until later that summer in August.

The pair were photographed lying close together outside Mellencamp’s granddaughter Slate’s fashion show in Los Angeles.

The Pink Houses star previously dated actress Meg Ryan. The romance actually started in 2011 and lasted for three years until they broke up in 2014, according to We weekly.

But Mellencamp and Ryan would rekindle their relationship two years later, eventually announcing their engagement in 2018, only to call things off the following year.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Mellencamp would be participating in the Outlaw Music Festival headlined by Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.

When the tour kicks off on June 21, former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant will be part of the traveling show with Nelson, Dylan, Alison Krauss and Celisse.

The Seymmour, Indiana native won’t be at the show until July 29 and will stay until the end of the tour on September 17.

Brittney Spencer, Billy Strings and Southern Avenue will also play some shows, replacing Plant, Krauss and Celisse in late July.

“I’ll be hitting the road with @willienelsonofficial in 2024 along with an incredible lineup of artists on the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival Tour, including @bobdylan @billystrings @brittneyspencer @southernavenuemusic,” Mellencamp shared on his Instagram when announcing the tour -page.

‘Presale tickets go on sale today at 10am, use code OUTLAW24. For more details and tickets visit @blackbird_presents #outlawmusicfestival.’

The singer-songwriter started his illustrious career in music in the early 1970s under the stage name Johnny Cougar.

He played the name game and went by John Cougar on his self-titled third album.

His big break came with the release of his fifth studio album, American Fool (1982), which included the three hit singles Hurts So Good, Jack & Dianne and Hand to Hold On To.

His seventh album, Uh-Huh (1983), would become an even bigger hit with the support of singles such as Pink Houses, Authority Song and Crumblin’ Down.

In total, Mellencamp has released 25 albums and collected 22 hit songs in the US throughout his career, including Lonely Ol’ Night, I Need A Lover, Small Town, Rain On The Scarecrow, ROCK in the USA, Human Wheels, Paper In Fire. , Cherry Bomb, Jackei Brown and Love And Happiness, among others.

He was eventually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, followed by induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.