Boost for shoppers as opening day nears

Perth has been dealt a muchneeded boost with news that Debenhams will reopen next week.

Closed non-essential shops have been under enormous financial strain during the pandemic, with Phase Eight the latest in Perth to reveal it will not reopen.

Debenhams reopened in England at the start of this week and Monday will be the day the sizeable department store chain reboots business in some of its Scottish branches, with the Fair City’s store on the corner of King Edward Street and the High Street being one of these. and not being part of an indoor mall, the Perth store is in the first clutch to open. The remaining stores in Scotland will not be able to open before July while restrictions on shopping centres remain in place.

Managing director Steven Cook said: “After 10 days of trading in Northern Ireland and England demand has been above plan, particularly for beauty, kidswear and summer fashion.

“We look forward to welcoming Welsh and Scottish customers back to our stores in the coming weeks in the confidence that our customers and colleagues are finding our extra safety precautions reassuring without impeding their comfort or convenience.”

This time last year Debenhams had business trouble and had been considering which branches to close to save on rent costs.

Cllr Peter Barrett said: “The reopening of Debenhams will be good news for Perth’s High Street and for the local economy.

“Some may have doubted if this key store’s doors would ever open again so this is very positive.

“As we have seen with our High Street retailers who have maintained limited opening, this will not be a return to ‘open as normal’ shopping.

“Protecting the health of Debenhams and its franchise staff members remains paramount.

“That requires all proper safe retailing measures to be implemented and social distancing precautions to be adhered to.”