A total of 19 Debenhams stores across the UK will be axed this month with the loss of 660 jobs as the national retailer battles for its long-term survival. Tony McDonough reports
Debenhams has revealed its Southport town centre store will close for the final time on January 19.
A total of 19 Debenhams stores across the UK will be axed this month with the loss of 660 jobs as the national retailer battles for its long-term survival. This is just the first wave of closures with 50 of its worst-performing stores on the hit-list.
The outlet in Southport’s Lord Street is now offering heavy discounts of up to 70% on a huge range of goods in areas such as menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, homeware, fragrances and beauty.
It will not be accepting any returns for non-faulty items, change of minds or excluded items according to a customer information sign posted on the door which also revealed the closing date.
A sign on the door of the outlet, read: “The Southport Store will accept refunds or exchanges where proof of purchase is present for faulty or misdescribed items, or items covered under warranty. This store will also continue to accept returns for items purchased online in accordance with your rights under the consumer contracts act.”
Debenhams first announced its rescue plan last year, using a device known as a company voluntary agreement (CVA). Under the agreement it looks to persuade landlords to cut rents to keep stores open.
Chief executive Stefaan Vansteenkiste said: “We are working hard to implement the transformation of Debenhams. Despite a challenging retail environment, thanks to our colleagues’ hard work and our investor group’s commitment we are progressing with our turnaround.”
The full list of stores that will close this month:
Altrincham, Greater Manchester – 11 January
Birmingham The Fort – 11 January
Kirkcaldy, Fife – 11 January
Walton-on-Thames, Surrey – 11 January
Wandsworth, London – 11 January
Wolverhampton – 11 January
Chatham, Kent – 15 January
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk – 15 January
Slough, Berkshire – 15 January
Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham – 15 January
Welwyn, Herfordshire – 15 January
Witney, Oxfordshire – 15 January
Ashford, Kent – 19 January
Canterbury, Kent – 19 January
Eastbourne, East Sussex – 19 January
Folkestone, Kent – 19 January
Southport, Merseyside – 19 January
Southsea, Portsmouth – 19 January
Wimbledon, London – 19 January