DEBENHAMS has revealed that another five of its UK stores will not reopen following the easing of lockdown.
It's been reported the closures may result in about 1,400 job losses across the five branches – The Sun has asked Debenhams to confirm and we'll update this story as soon as we get a response.
It follows the closure of 11 of the department store chain's outlets last month, after it revealed it was shutting seven stores for good, followed by a further four shops last month.
Debenhams says the latest closures are as a result of being unable to agree terms with shopping centre owner Hammerson to reopen the branches, after falling into administration last month.
The retailer says it had put its "best efforts" into keeping the shops trading after the coronavirus lockdown.
Stores that are due to close are in Birmingham's Bullring, Croydon's Centrale shopping centre, Silverburn in Glasgow, High Cross in Leicester, and Reading's Oracle, the retailer confirmed.
High street closures in 2019 and 2020
DEBENHAMS is the latest in a long list of stores to be facing trouble on the high street.
In 2019 and so far in 2020 we've seen:
- Forever21 close 350 stores with its UK branches also at risk
- Jamie Oliver's "Jamie's Italian" chain go bust, alongside his Fifteen and Barbecoa restaurants
- Links of London go into administration putting 350 jobs at risk
- Marks and Spencer close 35 more stores as it pushes forward with plans to axe 145 shops across the UK
- Dozens of Monsoon and Accessorize stores close
- While struggling shoe shop Office has said it "could close shops" as part of restructuring plans
- Fears Pizza Express could be next to go into administration as it "brings in emergency advisers"
- Hairdressing chain Supercuts went into administration in October putting 1,200 jobs and 220 salons at risk
- Maternity and baby retailer Mothercare collapsed into administration in November after 58 years on the high street, putting 2,500 jobs at risk
- Department store chain Beales went into administration in January 2020 with 23 shops and 1,052 jobs at risk
- High end fashion brand Ted Baker said it plans to axe 160 jobs in February
- Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehose said in March that it'll close all 531 standalone stores in April
Last month Debenhams said it had agreed terms with landlords to continue trading at 120 of its 142 UK stores.
However, it had warned at the time that "a "handful" more branches could be at risk of closure.
The retailer entered administration on April 9, appointing FRP Advisory to oversee the process, casting a shadow over the future of its 22,000 staff.
At the time, the majority of its employees in the UK were being paid under the government's furlough scheme.
Debenhams' UK stores are currently closed in line with government guidance following the coronavirus outbreak.
It's the second time in 12 months the 241-year-old department store chain has fallen into administration.
A spokesman for Debenhams said: "We can confirm that despite our best efforts, we have been unable to agree terms with Hammerson on our five stores in its shopping centres, and so they will not be reopening.
"We continue to engage in constructive talks with our landlords and have agreed terms on the vast majority of our stores, which we look forward to reopening when government restrictions allow.
"This is no reflection on the commitment of our colleagues in these stores and we are extremely grateful for their support."
Source: Read Full Article
