A week after after Debenhams confirmed it had gone into administration for a second time this year, the high-street retailer has announced that seven stores will be closing for good once lockdown measures are lifted.
The high street chain has said that it has agreed terms to save around 120 of its 142 branches, and now the first wave of closures has been announced.
The store closures mean that 422 jobs are affected.
The Mirror reports that the following stores are affected:
- Truro
- Stratford-Upon-Avon
- Salisbury
- Westfield in west London
- Warrington
- Leamington Spa
- South Shields
The retailer said talks are advanced on the remainder of the estate and it was confident deals can be arranged "in the coming days" but a "handful" more shops could be at risk.
The firm has appointed administrators from the FRP Advisory to oversee the process, which has already resulted in the closure of all stores in Ireland.
The company said it will work to "re-open and trade as many stores as possible" when restrictions are lifted.
Debenhams chief executive Stefaan Vansteenkiste said: "In these unprecedented circumstances the appointment of the administrators will protect our business, our employees, and other important stakeholders, so that we are in a position to resume trading from our stores when Government restrictions are lifted.
"We anticipate that our highly supportive owners and lenders will make additional funding available to fund the administration period."
The chain also said it would not be re-opening its business in Ireland after lockdown ended.
