Debenhams silent on future in Northampton town centre after announcing more store closures

Debenhams has announced that four more of its stores will not reopen after the Covid-19 lockdown but is still keeping mum over the future of its Northampton town centre site.

Bosses at the 242-year-old department store chain, which has been a name in the Drapery since 1973, revealed that deals have been done with landlords to keep 120 of its 142 stores going after the lockdown.

But shops in Southampton, Kidderminster, Swindon and Borehamwood have now been added to a list of seven issued last week which will close permanently.

That leaves 11 still in the balance, although Debenhams is refusing to reveal which list Northampton is on..

In a statement, the company said: "Sadly we have been unable to agree terms with the landlords in the four locations and as a result the stores will not be re-opening when government restrictions are lifted.

"We greatly regret the effect on our colleagues, who have served our customers in Southampton and the other stores with commitment and dedication."

Store closures were announced last week after failing to agree deals with landlords in Truro, Straford-upon-Avon, Salisbury, Warrington, Westfield in west London, Leamington Spa and South Shields.

The fashion, beauty and homeware business collapsed into administration 2½ weeks ago.

It had already said it planned closing a further 28 more stores this year — even after shutting 22 in December and January — leaving just over 110 sites open.

Debenhams is currently in what it calls a "light touch" administration protecting the company from any legal action by creditors following the closure of all its stores on March 24.

It furloughed the majority of its 22,000 UK staff who are being paid under the government's coronavirus job retention scheme which pays 80 per cent of workers' salaries up to £2,500 a month.

The retailer's online business is trading normally while its shops are shut.

Debenhams' name has been a feature of Northampton town centre since 1973 when it rebranded the former Adnitt Brothers store bought back in 1952.

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