Debenhams to close six stores due to pandemic

Debenhams revealed that six of its stores were set to close on account of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Employees at stores in Portsmouth, Staines, Harrogate, Weymouth and Worcester, have been told these stores will not reopen after the end of coronavirus restrictions.

The store on Oxford Street will also be closed, as Debenhams is unable to agree a lease extension with the landlord.

Around 320 jobs will be impacted by the closures.

The department store chain said its administrator FRP Advisory is still in talks with "a number of third parties regarding the sale of all or parts of the business".

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 today's announcement and would like to thank all those who continue to keep the business trading in very difficult circumstances."

The chain is continuing to sell stock online.

The department store is currently carrying out a liquidation process that started last month after failing to clinch a rescue deal.