Debenhams has named 22 of the 50 stores including the Lord Street branch it plans to close as part of a plan by new owners to revive the department store chain.
The retailer says the store closures will start next year and 1,200 staff will be affected by the first phase.


Earlier this month lenders to Debenhams took control in a deal which wiped out the investments of shareholders.
The new owners include Barclays and Bank of Ireland, as well as US investment firms.
Terry Duddy, Debenhams executive chairman, 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."


Debenhams stores expected to close in 2020

• Altrincham
• Ashford
• Birmingham Fort
• Canterbury
• Chatham
• Eastbourne
• Folkestone
• Great Yarmouth
• Guildford
• Kirkcaldy
• Orpington
• Slough
• Southport
• Southsea
• Staines
• Stockton
• Walton
• Wandsworth
• Welwyn Garden City
• Wimbledon
• Witney
• Wolverhampton

Not really any great surprise there given some closures necessary.

Bad news for the staff

Thats going to be one huge charity shop, pigeon farm or junk mail collection point.

No surprise. Why shop in there when their own website stocks far more choice than any of their shops?

I blame Bootle Labour

It's going to affect other businesses down that end of Lord Street too. There is little enough foot-fall as it is.

Originally Posted by toffee man

I blame Bootle Labour

Nah! It's BREXIT wot dunnit.

Originally Posted by local

Thats going to be one huge charity shop, pigeon farm or junk mail collection point.

but still plenty of traffic wardens...and people wonder why no one shops in the town

Could the last person out of Southport town centre please turn the lights out.....

Originally Posted by K-T

It's going to affect other businesses down that end of Lord Street too. There is little enough foot-fall as it is.

theres several awaiting this ,to decide wether to call it a day at that end of town!but alls better after the bids first term apparently isn't it.get those votes in buissnesses please its important,this time round.are we better now than five years ago???

You never see Primark stores closing down. Quite the opposite. They don't sell anything online.