DEBENHAMS has confirmed plans to close six stores permanently including its flagship Oxford Street shop.
Other branches that are shutting include Portsmouth, Staines, Harrogate, Weymouth and Worcester.
Debenhams has confirmed plans to shut six shops foreverCredit: Alamy Live News
In total, 320 members of staff will be affected by these store closures.
Debenhams is being liquidated after rescue talks to save the 242-year-old retailer failed.
It comes after JD Sports pulled out of a potential deal to rescue the high street staple.
JD Sports was the last remaining bidder for Debenhams, which has been in administration since April this year.
Which Debenhams stores are closing permanently?
DEBENHAMS is closing the following branches for good as its business is liquidated:
- Oxford Street
- Portsmouth
- Staines
- Harrogate
- Weymouth
- Worcester
It means all of Debenhams’ 124 stores will now disappear from the high street, although an exact date for when each remaining branch will close has yet to be confirmed.
The Sun understands that the closing date for remaining shops will depend on when stock runs out at each location.
The rest of Debenhams’ stores are currently closed due to lockdown rules, but shoppers can still purchase goods on its website.
Debenhams has been selling off its stock online before shutting stores through an 80% off closing down sale.
But in bad news for shoppers hoping to bag a bargain, the retailer stopped accepting gift cards on December 21, 2020.
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.
“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.”
Coronavirus restrictions and the closure of non-essential shops have caused scores of high-name brands to struggle over the past 12 months.
Peacocks and Jaeger, which are owned by Edinburgh Woolen Mill Group, fell into administration last month, putting 21,000 jobs at risk.
Laura Ashley went bust in March, just before the lockdown was brought in, while fashion giants Oasis and Warehouse fell into administration in April.
