Debenhams to close six stores, putting 320 jobs at risk (GB)

Debenhams to close six stores, putting 320 jobs at risk (GB)

Debenhams continues the ongoing wind-down of the business as announced on 1 December. While the company stated that it intends to reopen as many stores as possible to complete the stock liquidation, which continues online, the announcement of a renewed national lockdown last week means that a number of stores where the company has been unable to agree on lease extensions will be permanently closed. As a result, the stores in Portsmouth, Staines, Harrogate, Weymouth and Worcester, and Oxford Street flagship will not re-open, affecting 320 jobs.

 

The closure of the Oxford Street site will also impact upon Debenhams’ London Support Centre which sits above the store. For the time being, Support Centre will continue to work remotely in line with Government guidance and our Support Centre in Taunton remains operational.

 

Geoff Rowley, joint administrator to Debenhams and Partner at FRP Advisory, said: “We continue to engage with interested parties over alternative proposals for the future of Debenhams, but inevitably the latest lockdown has had an effect on our plans for the wind-down of the business. We regret the impact on those colleagues affected by today’s announcement and would like to thank all those who continue to keep the business trading in very difficult circumstances.”

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