Debenhams to open one last time for clearance

DEBENHAMS in the Birmingham Bullring Shopping Centre will open for a stock clearance after lockdown ends before closing down for good.

A spokesman for FRP Advisory, the administrators for Debenhams, told the Birmingham Post: “Stores will reopen once lockdown ends to complete the stock clearance - anticipated to take four to six weeks and then close permanently.”

Debenhams plunged into liquidation last month with its demise blamed on the decline of the high street exacerbated by the coronavirus lockdown.

FRP Advisory this week revealed that Boohoo group plc had signed an agreement to buy the Debenhams brand and other business assets including all the in-house brands and websites for £55 million.

Boohoo will relaunch Debenhams as an online-only operation from next year.

Geoff Rowley, joint administrator and partner of FRP Advisory, said: “We are pleased to have secured the future for this great brand, and to have created the opportunity for a new Debenhams-branded business to emerge in a different shape beyond the pandemic.

“I expect that the agreement with Boohoo may provide some job opportunities but we regret that this outcome does not safeguard the jobs of Debenhams’ employees beyond the winding down period. We are very grateful that they have worked tirelessly through this very challenging period and will continue to support the closing down sale.

“I’d also like to thank the management team, who have worked very hard throughout to protect the business and support us in delivering the best outcome for stakeholders.”

‘Store closing’ signs have been up at Debenhams in the Bullring for some weeks.

The collapse could see up to 12,000 workers lose their jobs - many of which are in Birmingham and the Black Country.