Troubled High Street giant Debenhams, which has a store at the Ayr Central Shopping Mall, has announced an update on its winding down and stock liquidation process.
Debenhams’ administrator FRP Advisory says it is “continuing to engage with a number of third parties” regarding the sale of all, or parts, of the business.
However, while this process continues, FRP Advisory says it will “continue to plan for the ongoing wind-down of the business,” as announced last month.
Ayrshire Live told last month how Debenhams was to close its entire chain after last-ditch efforts to save the company failed.
In Ayr, the numbers of staff affected are in excess of 100.
In line with government restrictions, they are “temporarily closed.”
The company’s cash crisis follows their plunge into administration for the second time within the space of a year.
Hopes had rested on a rescue bid from JD Sports but the sports chain pulled out.
FRP Advisory said in a statement: “While it remains our intention to reopen as many stores as possible to complete the stock liquidation, which continues online, the announcement of a renewed national lockdown means that a number of stores where we have been unable to agree lease extensions will be permanently closed.”
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 our announcement and would like to thank all those who continue to keep the business trading in very difficult circumstances.”
