Major economic blow to county as Debenhams flags closure
AROUND 100 workers at the Tralee branch of Debenhams have lost their jobs permanently following the collapse of the department store chain’s Irish operations.
The chain is the first major business casualty since the arrival of COVID-19 to these shores.
The troubled retailer – which had been struggling for several years and survived examinership in 2016 – announced on Thursday that it was entering liquidation and its 11 Irish outlets were ‘unlikely’ to reopen when the lockdown ends.
Staff at the Tralee outlet at Manor West Retail Park had already been temporarily laid off due to the Government’s Coronavirus measures but now they face an even more uncertain future.
Approximately 100 staff, many of them employed at the department stores’ many brand concession stands, were employed at Debenhams in Tralee.
Staff were initially informed of the news by email on Thursday morning. The decision was later confirmed by Stefaan Vansteenkiste, chief executive of the firm.
“We are desperately sorry not to be able to keep the Irish business operating but are faced with no alternative option in the current environment,” he said
“The colleagues have been placed on temporary lay-off under the Irish Government’s payment support schemes for employers and we will be working with them to support them through this process,” said Mr Vansteenkiste.
Trade Union Mandate – which represents most of the affected workers – said it is in close contact with the company and will be seeking an urgent meeting with the liquidator to demand its members are prioritised and get the best possible deal for them. Tralee Chamber Alliance CEO Ken Tobin said the closure reflects the huge pressures on the retial sector and will hit the staff and Tralee town in general severely. Debenhams Irish roots date back to the former Roches Stores chain, which UK retailer bought from the Roche family in 2006 for €29 million.