Staff at Swindon branch of Debenhams told that their jobs are safe as 22 of 50 branches earmarked for closure are announced

Staff at Swindon’s branch of Debenhams have learned that they will keep their jobs for the time being - after the department store chain named the 22 of the 50 stores that are earmarked for closure.

The closures of the affected stores will begin next year, affecting approximately 1,200 staff.

The retailer says the store closures will start next year and 1,200 staff will be affected by the first phase.

Debenhams has 166 UK stores and employs more than 25,000 people.

The latest move by the struggling business allows it to access new funds to keep it afloat - a £200m offer by Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct, which owned 30 per cent of the business was rejected.

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."

Once the 50 store closures are complete Debenhams will have around 116 stores in the UK.

Sales at Debenham’s UK stores fell 7.4% last year, which it blamed on fewer shoppers heading to the High Street.

 

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