DEBENHAMS is shutting 19 stores this month, as it continues its massive programme of shop closures.
The first three stores were shut towards the end of last year in York, Haverfordwest and Orpington.
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Now, six more locations will close on January 11, with shops in Altrincham, Kirkaldy, Wandsworth, Birmingham, Walton-on-Thames and Wolverhampton all set to be axed.
Another six outlets are due to shut on January 15, and seven more closures will happen on January 19.
This won’t be the end of the journey for Debenhams though, as the store has confirmed that another 28 closures are planned.
The next tranche stores to be shut will be decided based on the outcomes of talks with landlords.
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Debenhams first announced the store closures in April last year.
Speaking at the time, Debenhams executive chairman Terry Duddy said: “Debenhams has a clear strategy and a bright future, but in order for the business to prosper, we need to restructure the group’s store portfolio and its balance sheet, which are not appropriate for today’s much changed retail environment.
“Our priority is to save as many stores and as many jobs as we can, while making the business fit for the future.”
The chain said it had no further comments on the closures.
Which Debehams stores are closing
THREE Debenhams stores have already shut, and 19 are set to close over the next few weeks.
Here’s the full list of closures announced so far:
- Already shut: York, Haverfordwest and Orpington
- January 11: Altrincham, Greater Manchester; Kirkcaldy, Fife; Wandsworth, London; Birmingham The Fort; Walton-on-Thames, Surrey; Wolverhampton
- January 15: Chatham, Kent; Slough, Berkshire; Welwyn, Herfordshire; Great Yarmouth, Norfolk; Witney, Oxfordshire; Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham
- January 19: Ashford, Kent; Canterbury, Kent; Folkestone, Kent; Southsea, Portsmouth; Eastbourne, East Sussex; Southport, Merseyside; Wimbledon, London
Earlier in April, the chain fell into administration after rejecting a £200million rescue plan from Sports Direct tycoon, Mike Ashley.
It would have seen Debenhams’ lenders agree to write off £82million of its £720million debts, which the retailer said was “not sufficient”.
Instead, Debenhams decided to implement a “pre-pack administration” deal.
This is an insolvency process that allows a business to sell its assets before appointing administrators.
The chain announced plans to close its Lodge Farm warehouse in Northampton last year, but will continue to run three other distribution centres.
Debenhams will still have over 100 stores across the UK when the closure programme is complete.
Chain store closures in the past two years have stripped UK high streets of more than 1,000 shops, as bosses struggle under pressure from rising business rates and wages.
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Debenhams, Mothercare and New Look have also all closed stores over the past year in a bid to scale back outgoings.
